ZnO/metal/ZnO (metal = Ag, Pt, Au) films for energy-saving in windows application

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of different metals (Ag, Pt and Au) on the ZnO/metal/ZnO samples, being coated on a Glass substrate via RF/DC magnetron sputtering system, is investigated. The structural, optical, and thermal properties of the as-prepared samples were systematically studied for the purpose of storage and production of energy in industry. Our results show that these layers can be used as suitable coatings on building windows for energy storage applications. In the same experimental conditions, the case of Au as the intermediate layer has shown to have better optical and electrical conditions. Then the Pt layer also led to further improvement of the properties of the samples rather than those of the Ag. Moreover, the ZnO/Au/ZnO sample has shown the highest transmittance at the visible region (68.95%) and the highest FOM (5.1 × 10–4 Ω−1). Therefore, it can be considered as relatively the optimum sample in order for the building windows to save energy because of its low U-value (2.16 W/cm2 K) and low emissivity (0.45). Finally, by applying the equivalent voltage of 12 V at the ends of the sample, the surface temperature of sample has risen from 24 to 120 °C.

The physical properties and photocatalytic activities of green synthesized ZnO nanostructures using different ginger extract concentrations

“…The indirect and direct band gap of ZnO nanostructures are calculated using the Tauc formula (( F ( R ) hν ) n = B ( E − E g )) 54 and Kubelka–Munk function ( F ( R ) = ( 1 – R 2 )/( 2R )) 55 , 56 , where R, B, E, and E g are reflectance coefficient, a constant coefficient, photon energy, and band gap energy in Tauc formula, respectively. The indirect (direct) band gap values calculated from the Tauc plots in Fig.…”

Optimizing Sputter Deposition Conditions of Silver Thin Films Used in Low-Emissivity Coatings in an In-Line Deposition System

“…This type of coating typically consists of thin layers of transparent oxides or nitrides, combined with thin layers of a noble metal, such as gold, silver, or copper [4][5][6]. Silver is the most commonly used noble metal, due to its more suitable optical properties [7,8], which allow the coatings to remain transparent in the visible range, while achieving a high infrared reflectance.…”

“…A wide variety of materials, such as SnO 2 [14,15], ZnO [4], Si 3 N 4 [16], TiO 2 [17], AlN [18,19], AZO [20], and ITO [21,22], can be used as transparent materials to adjust the optical properties. Among them, AZO yields particularly favorable results, as it Coatings 2023, 13, 1556 2 of 11 exhibits a good wetting behavior in the silver, and forms more uniform silver layers [23,24].…”