Spectral selectivity and stability of energy-saving window films based on poly(vinyl chloride) reinforced with ATO nanoparticles

Near infrared shielding films that are based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) nanocomposites are developed. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of types and concentrations of ATO on the optical, thermo-mechanical and heat insulation properties of PVC composite films. By increasing the concentration of ATO, the tensile stress of the composite films increased at the expense of their percentage spectral transmittance. When silane-treated ATO powder was used as a replacement for neat ATO, the tensile modulus of the composite films improved. After carrying out an accelerated weathering (QUV) test for 960 h, the percentage transmittance through the PVC composite films showed very little change. Neither dehydrochlorination nor chain scission occurred during the QUV test. Finally, after being exposed to solar irradiation, the temperature behind the glass window coated with PVC/ATO film dropped by 12.5 °C compared to that of the bare glass system.