Thermochromic behavior of VO2/GO and VO2/rGO nanocomposites prepared by a facile hydrothermal method

Graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide based nanocomposites of the well-known thermochromic material VO2 were synthesized by an in situ hydrothermal process, and their temperature dependent reflectance was studied. The nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques to observe the changes that occurred in the morphology, structure, and optical absorption of VO2 nanostructures due to the introduction of graphene oxide as well as reduced graphene oxide. The UV-Vis-NIR (200 nm-1100 nm) spectroscopy at two different temperatures, below and above the transition temperature showed that the reflectance of IR radiation was enhanced with the addition of GO as well as rGO, indicating the improved thermochromic behavior of the nanocomposites.