Hybrid plasmonic nanoresonators as efficient solar heat shields

Abstract

A solar heat shield coating featuring the combination of plasmonic nanostructures in silica-based insulating materials has been developed and tested under conditions resembling natural sunlight exposure. Our results when implementing this coating on standard glazing reveal a blocking efficiency higher than 40%, compatible with a notable preservation of visible light transmittance above 75%. This strategy is (i) cost-effective, as only requires minute amounts of absorbent material in order to obtain the desired effect; (ii) straightforward, because no particular ordering of the plasmon resonators is needed onto the glass substrate; (iii) eco-friendly, as no metal leaching is observed once the gold is encapsulated; and (iv) retrofit-capable, given the fact that these nanostructures can be easily incorporated onto pre-installed glazing. All of these features emphasize the great potential of this approach in the search of more sustainable technologies for the fenestration industry.