Progress in preparation and research of VO₂-based composite structure films for smart windows

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) exhibits an insulator-metal phase transition near 68 ℃, coupled with a sudden alteration in near-infrared light transmittance, rendering it highly promising for intelligent energy-saving windows. Despite extensive research in recent years on preparation methods, phase transition mechanisms, and enhancement of dimming capabilities for VO₂, practical applications face numerous challenges. These include its high intrinsic phase transition temperature, low visible light transmittance (T_lum) , inefficient regulation of solar energy (∆T_sol) , poor weather resistance, and limited color comfort (brownish-yellow hue) . Addressing these challenges, researchers worldwide have conducted extensive investigations, with composite structures emerging as a promising avenue for enhancing the overall performance of VO₂ and advancing its practical applications. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive reviews on VO₂-based composite structures. This paper provides a synthesis and discussion of the preparation methods and performance research progress in the field of smart windows of VO₂-based composite structures, while also exploring the future prospects of VO₂-based composite structures.