Integrated Multiband Smart Windows From UV to LWIR Based on Molecularly Engineered Thermochromic Hydrogels

ABSTRACT Smart windows offer energy‐saving potential for buildings, while challenges remain in achieving multi‐band design across ultraviolet‐visible‐near infrared‐long wavelength infrared (UV–VIS‐NIR‐LWIR). Here we present a smart window integrating a thermochromic poly (EEEA‐co‐NIPAM) (PEN) hydrogel with an anti‐UV layer and an indium tin oxide layer, enabling dynamic VIS‐NIR solar modulation alongside UV shielding and low LWIR emissivity ( ɛ LWIR ). Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that 2‐(2‐ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate (EEEA) comonomer strengthens the polymer network and forms favorable hydrogen‐bonding interactions with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), promoting rapid dehydration‐driven chain collapse above a reduced lower critical solution temperature, and accelerating the optical response during heating. The produced window achieves a solar modulation (Δ Т sol ) of 42.7%, nearly complete UV shielding ( T UV = 0.1%), and low indoor‐facing ɛ LWIR = 0.31, with stable performance after 100‐h UV exposure and 100 thermal cycles. Outdoor tests demonstrate a 7.7°C cooling effect compared with ordinary glass, while EnergyPlus simulations demonstrate up to 62.6% savings in building heating/cooling energy in Singapore, San Francisco, and Brisbane. This work provides an effective multiband strategy for smart windows together with an in‐depth understanding of thermochromic hydrogel, and is expected to inspire future efforts toward spectrally selective, energy‐efficient building glazing.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.79343
Primary Topic
Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Integrated Multiband Smart Windows From UV to LWIR Based on Molecularly Engineered Thermochromic Hydrogels

Guofa Cai, Yujie Ke, Yongsheng Yang, Yi Long et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
article

Integrated Multiband Smart Windows From UV to LWIR Based on Molecularly Engineered Thermochromic Hydrogels

Guofa Cai, Yujie Ke, Yongsheng Yang, Yi Long, Yutong Tan, Ruifeng Zhang, Ran Tao, Rui Zhu, Hengshan Wei, Zhenhui Hu, Jiashuo Sun, Yueyue Guan, Jingting Luo, Congyuan Wei, Wang Zhang, Xi Chen, Yu Zhao
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Smart windows offer energy‐saving potential for buildings, while challenges remain in achieving multi‐band design across ultraviolet‐visible‐near infrared‐long wavelength infrared (UV–VIS‐NIR‐LWIR). Here we present a smart window integrating a thermochromic poly (EEEA‐co‐NIPAM) (PEN) hydrogel with an anti‐UV layer and an indium tin oxide layer, enabling dynamic VIS‐NIR solar modulation alongside UV shielding and low LWIR emissivity ( ɛ LWIR ). Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that 2‐(2‐ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate (EEEA) comonomer strengthens the polymer network and forms favorable hydrogen‐bonding interactions with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), promoting rapid dehydration‐driven chain collapse above a reduced lower critical solution temperature, and accelerating the optical response during heating. The produced window achieves a solar modulation (Δ Т sol ) of 42.7%, nearly complete UV shielding ( T UV = 0.1%), and low indoor‐facing ɛ LWIR = 0.31, with stable performance after 100‐h UV exposure and 100 thermal cycles. Outdoor tests demonstrate a 7.7°C cooling effect compared with ordinary glass, while EnergyPlus simulations demonstrate up to 62.6% savings in building heating/cooling energy in Singapore, San Francisco, and Brisbane. This work provides an effective multiband strategy for smart windows together with an in‐depth understanding of thermochromic hydrogel, and is expected to inspire future efforts toward spectrally selective, energy‐efficient building glazing.

Advanced Functional Materials
Lingnan University (HK), Hunan University (CN), Henan University (CN), Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK), Shenzhen University (CN), Wuhan Textile University (CN), Education Department of Hunan Province (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 28%
Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
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