Patent Application
20230249979
The invention pertains to thermochromic materials, and in particular to methods for the preparation of crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M).
Vanadium (IV) oxide (VO2) is known as being able to undergo a fully reversible metal-to-semiconductor phase transition between a low temperature monoclinic phase VO2 (M) and a high temperature rutile phase VO2 (R). The rutile phase is a semi-metal, reflecting and/or absorbing a wide range of solar wavelengths in the infrared. The monoclinic phase is a semiconductor and reflects and/or absorbs considerably less solar infrared light. It has been suggested to use VO2 in window coatings to obtain glass windows for buildings which block more (near) infrared from sunlight with increasing temperatures. This can advantageously be used to decrease energy consumption for cooling of buildings with windows. The thermochromic switching temperature of VO2 (M) is 68° C. Doping with metal ions can be used to decrease the switching temperature e.g. to 10-30° C.
Shishkin et al. Sensors and Actuators B 108 (2005) p. 113-118 describes the decomposition of vanadyl oxalate to VO2, wherein the vanadyl oxalate is obtained by heating a mixture of V2O5 in oxalic acid. The subsequent annealing occurred under a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures in the range of 375-825° C. (650-1100 K).
There remains a desire for better methods for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2, for instance methods which can be used on a larger scale (above 100 mg per batch or above 500 mg per batch in case of a batch method).
There remains a desire for thermochromic materials that when applied as a coating on window glass provide for energy savings for buildings; as well as for such coatings, coated articles, and windows.
The invention pertains in a first aspect to a method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M), wherein the method comprises annealing amorphous VO2 in the presence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 200° C.
The invention also pertains to crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) obtainable by the process of the invention; and to a coated article comprising a substrate and a coating comprising the crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) and to a polymer film comprising a layer comprising a polymer matrix and the crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M).
Certain known preparation methods yield amorphous VO2 which does not exhibit thermochromic characteristics. The present invention provides in an aspect for a method of transforming such amorphous VO2 into crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) with advantageous thermochromic properties. The present invention hence provides a preparation method for a thermochromic material comprising crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M). The material exhibits thermochromic properties for one or more wavelengths in the solar IR (750-2500 nm). The obtained crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) is for instance monoclinic at 20° C. Advantageously amorphous VO2 can be used as the starting material for the annealing; simple preparation methods for amorphous VO2 are known in the art.
In the present invention, this transformation is achieved using annealing, in particular using annealing in the presence of 02. The present invention pertains to a preparation method comprising annealing of amorphous VO2 into crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M). The annealing comprises an annealing step performed e.g. at a temperature of at least 200° C., or at least 250° C., or at least 300° C., or at least 310° C., or at least 320° C., or at least 350° C., and for instance under an atmosphere containing 0.10 to 100 vol. % O2, for instance at least 1.0 vol. % O2, above 5.0 vol. % O2, at least 6.0 vol. % O2, at least 10 vol. % O2, or at least 15 vol. % O2, e.g. under air, and for instance for a duration of at least 10 seconds, e.g. at least 60 seconds, or at least 120 seconds, or at least 5 minutes, typically less than 10 hours, or less than 30 minutes. The annealing is performed e.g. with a maximum temperature of 600° C., or e.g. maximum 500° C., max. 450° C., or max 400° C. The annealing is performed e.g. with a temperature in the range of 300-600° C., e.g. 320-600° C., or e.g. in the range 300-450° C. or 310-450° C.
The atmosphere contains e.g. at least 50 vol. % inert gas such as N2 or at least 70 vol. % inert gas e.g. N2. The annealing is for instance carried out in a furnace. The furnace is for instance a batch or continuous furnace.
The annealing for instance comprises a stage performed e.g. with a temperature in the range of 350-600° C., e.g. 380-600° C., or e.g. in the range 375° C. to 450° C., and with a duration of e.g. at least 5 minutes and/or less than 30 minutes, and for instance at least 10 vol. % O2, or at least 15 vol. % O2, e.g. under air, and preferably for amorphous VO2 powder.
The annealing for instance comprises or consists of a stage performed e.g. with a temperature in the range of e.g. in the range 400 to 450° C., and with a duration of e.g. at least 5 minutes and/or less than 30 minutes, and for instance at least 10 vol. % O2, or at least 15 vol. % O2, e.g. under air, and preferably for amorphous VO2 powder.
In some embodiments, the annealing comprises a step carried out at an oxygen level of at least 6.0 vol. % and at a temperature above 320° C. and with a duration of at least 10 seconds. In some embodiments, the entire annealing is performed under an atmosphere comprising at least 0.10 vol. %, at least 1.0 vol. %, or at least 5.0 vol. % O2. In some embodiments, the annealing consists of one step (one step procedure).
The product is crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) and is for instance obtained after cooling to a temperature lower than 30° C.
The annealing step may also be identified as a thermal treatment step.
The inventive preparation method provides the advantage that a curing step under inert gas with less than 0.10 vol. % O2 is not necessary.
Advantageously, energy intensive and costly steps such as sputtering and curing under substantially oxygen-free inert atmosphere can be avoided. Furthermore, the use of certain highly toxic reactants, such as hydrazine can be avoided advantageously.
Advantageously, in preferred embodiments oxidation of vanadium (IV) to vanadium (V) can be avoided.
The produced crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) preferably exhibits a switching enthalpy for the first order phase transition of VO2 (M) to VO2 (R), that is at least 20% or at least 40% or at least 60% of the switching enthalpy of pure VO2 (M) for said transition of VO2 (M) to VO2 (R), as measured e.g. with DSC (differential scanning calorimetry).
The amorphous VO2 is for instance provided as a particulate material, e.g. as a powder. The amorphous VO2 is for instance provided and annealed as a particulate material, e.g. as a powder. In particular the amorphous VO2 subjected to annealing is preferably a powder. This provides for the advantage that a relatively small furnace can be used compared to annealing of VO2 applied as coating layer on a substrate, in particular for flat (planar) substrate. Thereby the annealing process can be scaled up more easily.
In such embodiments, the produced crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) is for instance as a powder. Such monoclinic VO2 (M) powder may be used as a thermochromic infrared (IR) pigment or for preparing such a pigment. In other words, the monoclinic VO2 (M) powder is in this embodiment applied onto a substrate, in particular a planar substrate such as window glass, after the annealing step. This advantageously provides for smaller equipment size (furnace size) used for the annealing of the powder.
The method is optionally a batch method and the amount of powder is e.g. at least 1.0 g per batch. Accordingly preferably the method involves annealing batches of at least 1.0 g of the amorphous VO2 powder. The use of powders contributes to the advantageous larger batch scale.
The invention also pertains to the crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) material obtained by, or obtainable with, the inventive method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M). In some embodiments, the produced crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) is a thermochromic material in granular or particulate form. The crystalline monoclinic VO2 thermochromic material in granular or particulate form is for instance a pigment composition or can be used as pigment composition. The thermochromic material is for instance a powder. In an embodiment the thermochromic material, or the produced crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) material, is in particulate form. The invention also pertains to an article comprising the thermochromic material in granular or particulate form, e.g. comprising particles of thermochromic material. The article is e.g. a film. The film comprises the particles of the thermochromic material and a matrix, preferably a polymer matrix. The film is for instance a single layer film or a multi-layer film. The film comprises e.g. a layer comprising particles of the thermochromic material and a matrix and optionally additional layers, these layers are e.g. laminated. The additional layers e.g. include a polymer film.
The film comprising crystalline monoclinic VO2 thermochromic material is e.g. adhesive or self-adhesive. The film is e.g. prepared by a method comprising a step of casting a slurry comprising a liquid phase, a polymer, and particles of the crystalline monoclinic VO2 thermochromic material; the slurry may comprise additional particles. The cast film is e g laminated with other films to produce a laminated film comprising particles of the thermochromic material. The invention also pertains to such a method of preparing a film using the crystalline monoclinic VO2 material.
The film is for instance applied to glass windows and glass panels. The glass panel with the applied film is for instance used for renovating buildings.
In some embodiments of the inventive method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M), the amorphous VO2 starting material is for instance provided as a coating layer on a substrate. The substrate is or comprises e.g. glass, such as float glass. The coating is for instance a single layer coating. The substrate is typically thermostable. The present invention also pertains to a method for preparing a coated article, wherein the coated article comprises a substrate and a coating, preferably a single layer coating, wherein the single layer coating or a layer of a multiple layer coating comprises or consists of crystalline monoclinic VO2 obtained with or obtainable by the method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) of the invention.
In an embodiment, the method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) comprises dispersing amorphous VO2 powder in a liquid to provide a dispersion, preferably using a stabilization agent, e.g. PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), and applying the dispersion on a substrate, preferably a glass substrate; and a subsequent step of the described annealing. The dispersion can be applied on the substrate using e.g. dip coating, roll coating, or other suitable coating methods. The annealing is conducted subsequently to the step of applying the dispersion. One or more optional steps may be conducted between applying the dispersion and the annealing, such as drying the coated substrate.
The substrate comprises for instance a non-crystalline, amorphous solid. The substrate is preferably transparent for IR (750-2500 nm) and visible light. The substrate comprises e.g. SiO2. The substrate is for instance float glass. The substrate, e.g. the glass panel, has for instance a width of at least 0.10 m or at least 0.5 m and a length of at least 0.10 m or at least 0.50 m. The substrate has e.g. at least one side with a surface area of at least 0.10 m2. The substrate for instance comprises silica. The substrate is for instance a glass substrate.
The method for preparing crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) may optionally also involve one or more steps of preparing the amorphous VO2 that is annealed. In some embodiments, the optional step of preparing the amorphous VO2 involves preparing a vanadium (IV) complex solution from a vanadium (V) precursor, a reducing agent, and a solvent. The reducing agent is for instance a carboxylic acid. The reducing agent is for instance oxalic acid or an alpha hydroxy acid, e.g. citric acid (2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid) or malic acid.
The solvent is or comprises for instance water. The preparation step may further involve allowing the vanadium(V) precursor and the reducing agent to react to form a vanadium (IV) complex solution. For instance, a molar excess of reducing agent is used and for instance the obtained solid material comprising amorphous VO2 also includes reducing agent.
In embodiments wherein the solid material comprising amorphous VO2 also includes reducing agent, such as oxalic acid, the presence of O2 in the annealing atmosphere may contribute to the purification of the solid material and the formation of crystalline monoclinic VO2 during the annealing.
The preparation step may involve precipitating amorphous VO2 from the vanadium (IV) complex solution, e.g. as powder, using for instance a solvothermal reaction. The solvothermal reaction is conducted e.g. at a temperature of. above 150° C. and less than 400° C. and/or e.g. a pressure of at least 10 bar, typically less than 100 bar. The pressure can be autogenerated e.g. in an autoclave. The use of a solvothermal method giving powders has the advantage that annealing of powders can be scaled up using smaller furnaces compared to annealing deposited layers on a substrate.
In some embodiments, the optional step of preparing the amorphous VO2 involves preparing a vanadium (IV) complex solution from a vanadium (IV) precursor and a complexing agent. The complexing agent is e.g. an alcohol. The method of this embodiment involves precipitating amorphous VO2 from the vanadium (IV) complex solution in the presence of at least part of the solvent and/or at least part of the complexing agent, thereby providing a composition comprising amorphous VO2; and subsequently subjecting said composition to said annealing to provide crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M). The composition comprising amorphous VO2 is for instance a powder. This powder is annealed subsequently. The use of powder allows for easier scale up.
The invention also pertains to crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular as a powder, and to a thermochromic material comprising such crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) obtainable by the process of the invention, as well as to coated articles comprising a substrate and a coating wherein the coating comprises crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) obtainable by the process of the invention. Details and preferences for the substrate and for the coating layer are as discussed hereinabove. The invention pertains also to an article comprising said thermochromic material comprising such crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) obtainable by the process of the invention. The article is for instance a polymer film as discussed hereinabove, for example a single layer or multilayer polymer film as discussed.
The thermochromic material and/or coating material comprises optionally one or more additional components, such as for example one or more doping ions. The doping ions are for instance ions of W, Ta, Nb, Mo, Al, F, or a mixture of these ions.
The invention provides also for crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) powder, e.g. obtainable by the process of the invention. The powder is in particular unsupported.
The crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M), for instance as a powder, has a preferably a switching enthalpy of at least 32 J/g, e.g. as measured with DSC.
In conclusion, the invention pertains to methods for the preparation of crystalline monoclinic VO2. In the inventive method, amorphous VO2 is annealed in an O2-containing atmosphere to give crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M).
As used herein, the term ‘typically’ indicates features that are used in many but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention.
The invention will now be further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. These examples do not limit the invention and do not limit the claims.
Amorphous VO2 was prepared using V2O5 and oxalic acid as reducing agent, using an example solvothermal procedure at 10-40 bar and a temperature (internal) in the range of 160-260° C., for a duration of at least 24 hours, with excess reducing agent.
Materials
Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5, 99.6%, −10 mesh size) purchased from Alfa Aesar™, oxalic acid (C2H2O4, 98%) purchased from Sigma Aldrich™ and Milli-Q® water purified via the Q-POD-Merck™ system.
Example Preparation of Amorphous VO2
An aqueous solution of oxalic acid was prepared by dissolving oxalic acid (2.42 g, 26.9 mmol) in 180 ml of water (Milli-Q®), thereafter vanadium pentoxide (0.80/181 g, 4.4 mmol) was added to the solution. The resulting mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature until a yellow solution was obtained. The solution was then added to a Teflon lined autoclave and was subsequently heated up to 180° C. for 24 hours. With these conditions an autogenerated pressure of 12.5 bar was reached. After the autoclave cooled down to room temperature, a black powder was obtained. Besides 180° C., the black powder was obtained in further experiments for example at temperatures ranging from 180° C. to 260° C. Subsequently the black powder was washed with both deionized water and ethanol absolute for 2 times. Thereafter, the black powder was dried under vacuum at 40° C. for 12 hours. After drying 0.45 g of amorphous VO2 was obtained.
Characterization
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): DSC was performed with the DSC Discovery Classic system from TA Instruments®. The sample was measured in a hermetic aluminum pan under nitrogen atmosphere, with a heating and cooling rate of 20° C./min.
Results
A black powder was obtained. The obtained amorphous powder did not exhibit a phase transition in DSC. No crystalline material was observed with XRD.
As a preliminary experiment, the prepared amorphous VO2 was subjected to thermal treatment under air flow of 25 ml/min in a temperature range of 30° C. to 500° C. with heating of 10° C./min. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that in this example, decomposition started at about 300° C. and oxidation started from 450° C.
Preparation of Crystalline Monoclinic VO2 (M)
A sample of the prepared amorphous VO2 powder (0.45 g) was added to a ceramic crucible at a layer thickness <1 mm. The crucible was then placed in the center of a preheated muffle furnace under air at 400° C. for 90 minutes. The crucible was removed from the muffle furnace and monoclinic VO2 (M) was obtained. Furthermore a weight loss of 18% was observed, the end-product had a final weight of 0.37 g. Besides 400° C., crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) was also obtained at example temperatures ranging from 375° C. to 450° C.
Preparation of Crystalline Monoclinic VO2 (M)
In this example, 0.45 g of the prepared amorphous VO2 was transferred to a ceramic crucible and was placed in the centre of a muffle furnace under air. The following temperature programme was used: oven temperature 350° C. for 120 min (time T=0 to T=120 min), then 375° C. for 60 min (T=120 to 180 min), then 400° C. for 90 min (T=180 to T=270 min). Prominent weight loss was observed during the first 30 minutes.
Table 1 shows results for samples taken at the indicated times, and the switching enthalpies measured with DSC.
For the final product, a switching enthalpy of 33-34 J/g was obtained advantageously. The final product was a powder.
A sample of the crystalline monoclinic VO2 (M) prepared according to Example 3 (the final product of Example 3) was dispersed in ethanol (1 wt. % VO2, 1 wt. % PVP, 98 wt. % ethanol) and drop casted. A transmission change of 4% at 1600 nm IR was achieved for the thermochromic transition (between the hot/cold state, hence above/below switching temperature).
Annealing of a sample of the prepared amorphous VO2 was carried out initially for 75 min at 450° C. and thereafter 75 min at 500° C. under air. Results are shown in Table 2. Advantageous high switching enthalpy was obtained already after 15 min, i.e. an advantageously short processing time. Longer annealing times and higher temperatures led to a decrease in enthalpy.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20184994.0 | Jul 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2021/050436 | 7/9/2021 | WO |
