Review on Variable Emissivity Materials and Devices Based on Smart Chromism

摘要

Variable emissivity material (VEM) can dynamically vary its emissivity and infrared radiation under certain conditions, which may find potential applications in infrared stealth/camouflage, solar thermal collector, spacecraft thermal control, and smart energy-saving windows. In this paper, the variable emissivity materials and devices based on electrochromism and thermochromism are introduced. The basic principle and present status of the research in these fields are overviewed. Four kinds of representative VEMs are extensively summarized, which are tungsten trioxides (WO3), conducting polymers (CPs), perovskite oxides (A(1-x)B(x)MO(3)), and vanadium dioxide (VO2). Finally, specific issues confronted with electrochromic and thermochromic materials and devices are prospected.