Effect of the Thin Silver Layer in SnO2/Ag/SnO2 Nano-Coatings with Low Emission for Energy Storage

This study was done to investigate the effect of changing the silver deposition time as the middle layer in three-layer SnO2(50 nm)/Ag(t)/SnO2(50 nm) structures on the glass substrate using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and DC/RF magnetron sputtering to examine the targeted layers. The optical, electrical, and thermal characteristics of the samples were studied. The results showed that the SnO2/Ag/SnO2 three-layer structures have the necessary and favorable conditions for heat-insulating and energy-saving coatings on building windows. Therefore, considering a deposition time of 20 s for silver, the values of emissivity and U-factor are minimum and equal to 0.06 W/m2 k and 1.41 W/m2 k, respectively. As a result, heat transfer from the environment and sunlight radiation from this cover is minimized. Also, transmission at the wavelength of 550 nm for the sample with the deposition time of 20 s and 25 s is maximum and equal to 70% and 75%, respectively.