The Origin of the Thermochromic Property Changes in Doped Vanadium Dioxide

Vanadium dioxide is a promising material for novel smart window applications due to its reversible metal-insulator transition which is accompanied by a change in its optical properties. The transition temperature (T-MIT) can be controlled via elemental doping, but the reduction of T-MIT is generally coupled with a decrease of the optical contrast between the two phases. To better understand how the contrast is fundamentally connected to T-MIT, the thermochromic properties of doped VO2 were theoretically investigated across the metal-insulator transition from first principles. Different dopants and their interaction with the VO2 host structure as well as different modes of doping were studied in detail. It was found that the transition temperature change is mainly related to the stabilization of the high-temperature metallic phase due to lattice deformations which are caused by the presence of the dopant ion. Inherent limitations to the thermochromic performance of VO2 substitutionally doped by the replacement of vanadium cations with other species were found, and alternative approaches were proposed. Specifically, a charge-neutral substitution of oxygen or an oxygen substitution in combination with interstitial doping without net charge transfer between the dopant atoms and VO2 were identified as promising avenues to ensure a low T-MIT and no loss of optical contrast in vanadia-based smart window materials.

Automated summary

This study theoretically investigates the thermochromic properties of doped vanadium dioxide and finds that the transition temperature is mainly influenced by lattice deformations caused by the presence of dopant ions. The limitations of substitutional dopants on the thermochromic performance of VO2 are identified, and alternative approaches are proposed to ensure a low transition temperature and no loss of optical contrast.