This work studies the use of the novel electric field assisted chemical vapour deposition (EACVD) process in the production of thermochromic thin films of vanadium dioxide on glass substrates. The investigation studies the effects an applied electric field has on both aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) and atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) reactions of vanadyl acetylacetonate. The electric field was generated by applying a potential difference between two transparent conducting oxide coated glass substrates. The electric field was varied between 0 – 3000 Vm-1. The deposited films were analysed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. It was found that applying an electric field led to large changes in film microstructure, preferential orientation and changes in the film growth rate. This led to significant changes in materials properties such as increased surface roughness and enhanced wetting behaviour. Electric field assisted chemical vapour deposition shows great promise as a method for nano-structuring and tailoring the properties of metal oxide thin films. Further to the work carried out depositing thermochromic materials a computation building study is carried out to assess the energy saving potential of thermochromic thin films in as intelligent glazing. The building simulation is used to examine the effect of the thermochromic transition, hysteresis width and hysteresis gradient on the energy demand characteristics of a model system in a variety of climates. The results are also compared against current industry standard glazing products. The results suggest that ideal thermochromic systems can give potential savings between 20 – 50 % depending on the specific climate. The building model is also used to asses the energy saving potential of VO2 thin films prepared by electric field assisted atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:626570 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Warwick, M. E. A. |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1426972/ |
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