Large area infrared thermochromic VO2 nanoparticle films prepared by inkjet printing technology

Inkjet-printable VO2 inks were developed for fabrication of infrared thermochromic VO2 nanoparticle films on the nanoporous polyethylene (nanoPE) substrates. The surface morphology and roughness of the printed films were investigated via scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The obtained films demonstrated excellent infrared optical properties with large infrared optical modulation (32.4% at 20 mu m wavelength). Moreover, the inkjet printed large area VO2 nanoparticle films of 560 cm(2) had good uniformity, which the difference in infrared transmittance of the 40 regions on the film was within 0.3%. These promising results help to promote the applications of this material in optoelectronic devices such as intelligent camouflage and optical switches.