Nanocrystalline vanadium dioxide: synthesis and mid-infrared properties

This work describes the first successful synthesis of nanocrystalline thermochromic VO2 powder using the low temperature irreversible structural transformation of the metastable VO2(B). At this step, the transformation is associated with a total rearrangement of VO6 octahedra, and a strong increasing of density. The reversible metal‐insulator phase transition (MIPT) of vanadium dioxide (Tta 68∞C) is associated with strong changes in electrical, magnetic and optical properties. The contrast of the optical transition in mid-infrared (MIR) region and the optical transparency are remarkably increased for these nanosized particles. Modifications in coloration are also observed. ” 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.