ZrO2 incorporated TiO2 based solar reflective nanocomposite coatings on glass to be used as energy saving building components

Abstract

Single layer design ZrO2 incorporated TiO2 based transparent hard reflecting nanocomposite coatings on glass substrates were developed by sol–gel dip-coating technique using zirconium (IV) n-propoxide (ZP) and titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) followed by heat treatment at 500 °C for 1 h. The above nanocomposite based TiO2–ZrO2 coated glass could be used as component for efficient energy saving building materials with esthetic beauty. The TZ85:15 coated glasses (dimension: 200 × 200 mm2) with coating thickness 90 ± 10 nm having refractive index value of 1.985 ± 0.002 were found to be flawless with good hardness ~ 5H and adhesion properties. GIXRD and Raman analysis of specimens revealed the crystalline nature of the heat-treated coatings, whereas the formation of Ti–O–Zr network was observed by XPS and FTIR. Coated glass showed > 28% of average reflection (within wavelength range of 350–2500 nm) and ~ 31% (within wavelength range of 400–800 nm). It also revealed the golden yellow reflected color under tube-light exhibiting enhanced aesthetic beauty making suitable candidate for heat reflecting component.