CHROMOGENIC GLAZINGS

Jitka Mohelnikova1
1

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Veveri 95, 602 00 Brno Czech Republic
E-mail: mohelnikova.j@fce.vutbr.cz
Received

; accepted

Abstract. The energy saving programmes and design trends toward utilisation of solar energy in buildings brought
the development of advanced window glazings. These special glazings have found wide applications in contemporary
architecture mainly for large glazed facades. Glazed buildings have problems with overheating which causes high
energy consumption for cooling and ventilation. Chromogenic glasses present possibility of dynamic solar control for
the faade and roof glazed systems. Thermochromic, gasochromic, photochromic, electrochromic glazing were
developed. These chromogenic glazings represent modern way for the design of large glazed building constructions.
Keywords: window glazing, chromogenic glazing, electrochromic glazing, advanced glazing, light transmittance

1. Introduction
Motivations for utilisation of solar energy in
buildings and energy saving programmes have brought
development of advanced glazings. These glazings have
ability to limit transmittance of solar radiation or increase
reflectance of infrared radiation and in this way influence
indoor comfort in buildings. Main representatives of
these advanced glazings are:
- low-emissivity glassesglasses highly reflective for
infrared radiation (the advanced glasses of the first
generation),
- solar control glasses so call chromogenic glazings as
thermochromic,
photochromic,
gasochromic
and
electrochromic glazings and glasses with liquid crystal
coatings (the advanced glasses of the second generation,
called as glazings of the 21st century).
The interest of research has been focussed on
chromogenic materials in the last decade [1,2,3].
Electrochromism, photochromism or thermochromism
belong among chromogenic phenomena which causes
variation in spectral transmittance in materials as a
response to affecting radiations [15-19].
Practical applications of the chromogenic
phenomena have brought development of special glazings
which have ability to modulate their optical
characteristics in accordance with solar radiation
intensity. These glazings offer possibility of dynamic
variation of light transmittance which can be used mainly
for architectural applications in buildings with glazed
facades and roofs. The glazed buildings have problems

with overheating and with very high energy consumption

for cooling and ventilation. The chromogenic glazings
represent modern and progressive way for elimination of
these problems.
2.

Representatives of chromogenic glazings

Special technologies give production of the advanced

glasses which have ability to vary in their optical
properties from transparent to darkened (coloured) state in
the case of high intensity of solar radiation. The group of
chromogenic glazings is represented by thermochromic,
gasochromic, photochromic and electrochromic glazings.
2. 1. Thermochromic glazings
Thermochromic glazings contain layers with thermal
active gels which have ability to alter their optical
properties in dependence on temperature changes. These
gels consist of thermochromic materials of two
components with different refractive indexes. For low
temperatures both of these components are homogenous
and transparent. If temperature rises above the limit value
(20C to 50C), components are separated into very small
particles (with dimensions close to wavelength of light),
which causes very strong scattering of affecting radiation
[1]. The activated thermochromic layer has white colour.
The characteristic composition of layers in a typical
thermochromic glazing is depicted in Fig. 1.

glass 4 mm
hydrogel 1.5 mm
glass 4 mm
cavity 16 mm (filled
with Argon)
- low emissivity

Spectral transmittance of a selected sample of

gasochromic glazing is presented in Fig. 4. The dashed
line depicts transmittance in transparent state (bleaching)
and solid one in blue coloured activated state (darkening).
bleaching

Fig 1. Composition of the thermochromic glazing

darkening

Wavelength [nm]

Fig 4. Spectral transmittance of the gasochromic glazing [1]

2.3. Photochromic glazing

Wavelength [nm]

Fig 2. Spectral transmittance of the thermochromic glazing [1]

Spectral transmittance of thermochromic glazing

with the layer of 800 m hydro-gel sandwiched between
two glass panes of thickness 4 mm [1] is presented in Fig.
2. High reduction of visible transmittance is for
temperatures above 40C. This type of glazing can be
used for example in exhibition halls and in interiors
where illumination of diffusive light is required.
2.2. Gasochromic glazing
The gasochromic glazing dynamic changes in light
transmittance are caused by chemical reactions of
hydrogen with wolfram oxide. Highly diluted hydrogen
in the cavity between glasses of the gasochromic double
glazed unit is in chemical reaction with wolfram oxide
(WO3) which is used for the thin film coating on the
internal surface of one glass pane of the glazed unit.
Chemical reaction xH + WO3 (from transparent
state) HxWO3 (blue colour) causes blue coloration of
the gasochromic glazing. In the darkening state
dispersion and absorption of solar radiation is appeared.
Reversible effect for transparent state is achieved by the
help of diluted oxygen [1,4].
-

glass 4 mm
thin film WO3
catalyser
cavity filled with gas (H2, O2)
glass 4 mm

Fig 3. Composition of the gasochromic glazing

First references about photochromic glasses have

been known since 1880 [5, 6]. These glasses are coloured
in dependence of exposed radiation the creation of
colour centers inside of the glass pane. After the radiation
exposition glasses are turned into initial transparent state
the destruction of the colour centers is activated [20].
This effect is achieved by the help of photochemically sensitive materials as silver copper or
cadmium halogenides, europium or cerium. Also
chromium, molybdenum or tungsten can be used and
mineral Hackmanit [6]. On the basis of investigations in
kinetics of photochemical reactions in photochromic
glasses the most convenient seem to be silver halogenides
[5,6].
The reversible photochromic reaction is influenced
by the type of glass concentration of silver halogenides or
other photo-chemically active components. Colour centers
are activated in the response of the exposition to
ultraviolet and short wave visible radiation. The
destruction of colour centers is influenced by long wave
visible and short wave infrared radiation.
bleaching

darkening

Wavelength [nm]

Fig 5. Spectral transmittance of the photochromic glazing [5]

Photochromic glasses are used in optical purposes. In

architecture for window glazings this special type of glass
was not used wide applications.

2.4. Electrochromic glazings

Technologies of thin films have brought the
development of special glazings which modulate their
optical properties in the response of electric voltage. This
effect is based on the phenomena of electrochromism.
Electrochromism is a reversible electrochemical reaction
causing change of optical properties of materials used for
electrodes [3,10].
The electrochromic reaction is activated if electric
current is transported through the electrochromic active
material. The presence of electric current causes variation
of the material chemical composition and in this way
changes in its optical properties and spectral
characteristics. There is a typical composition of the
electrochromic glass shown in Figure 6.
- glass
- transparent electrode
- WO layer
3
- central elektrolyte
- WO bronze layer
3
- transparent electrode
- glass

Fig 6. Example of a composition of electrochromic glazing [3]

The electrochromic process is the process of ion

insertions from the electrochromic donor layer into the
elecrochromic host one. Electrochromic material is
transported via ion migration through the central
electrolyte layer. This process causes darkening
(coloration) of the electrochromic glass unit. The
reversible reaction for the bleaching (transparent) state is
achieved by the change in polarity which causes ion
transport in the reversible direction.
The following figure presents spectral transmittance
of the selected type of eletrochromic window glazing [7].
0,6
Snen propustnost-ztmavnut skla
Vysok propustnost

0,5

(WO3,V2O5,TiO2) and composite oxides [10]. Bronzes are

also known (for example AxWO3 bronze of wolfram.
Inserted ions are ions of hydrogen and alcalic metals,
lithium, sodium or calcium. Intensity of coloration
depends on amount of electric charge and thickness of the
electrochemically active film. Hydrated oxides of iridium,
rhodium, nickel a cobalt (IrO2, RhO2, NiO, CoO2) are also
used [9].
The experimental investigation of the electrochromic
properties of active layers was carried out [8-11]. Within
the frame of this experiment the electrochomic device was
completed from the following layers:
1. glass substrate (the first layer of the electrochromic
device),
2. transparent conductive layer indium-tin oxide ITO the
layer was sputtered on the glass substrate,
3. electrochromic layer (the donor layer) - WO3,
4. gel electrolyte (the ion conductor) PMMA-LiClO4,
5. reversible electrochromic layer (the host layer) - V2O5,
6. transparent conductive layer ITO the layer was
sputtered on the the glass substrate,
7. glass substrate (the last layer of the electrochromic
device).
The layer of WO3 deposited by the dip-coating
method has proven electrochromic properties (coloration
at voltage of 1 V and lower, bleaching at voltage over 2
V). This process was not totally reversible during the
bleaching process the layer stayed partly coloured. The
layer of V2O5 (dip-coating deposited) has similar
properties as the layer deposited by the magnetron
sputtering method. During the completion of the
electrochromic glass sample problems with adhesion of
the solution with the substrate and also problems with
temperature changes in layers during the deposition and
stabilisation were monitored. Completed element is
coloured at voltage about -2V and bleaching process (not
totally reversible) was measured at voltage of +2.5V [9].
The graph in the following figure compares spectral
transmittances of the electrochromic glass sample
determined for different voltage.
%
60

bleaching

0,4

0,1

400

600

800

1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400

Wavelength [nm]

vlnov dlka [nm]

Transmitance [%]

darkening

0,2

0
200

initial
-0,5 V
-1 V
-1,5 V
-2 V
2V

50

0,3

40

30

20

10

Fig 7. Composition of electrochromic glass unit [7]

0

Fundamental requirements for electrochromic

materials are existence of colour centers (they cause
optical absorption of visible light) and ion and electron
conductivity which is necessary for electro-neutrality.
The important electrochromic materials [12-14] are
oxides of wolfram, vanadium, molybdenum and titanium

500

600

700

800

900

Wavelength [nm]

Fig 8. Spectral transmittance of the sample [10]

The results from the investigations of spectral

charcteristics of light transmittance of the electrochromic

glazing are obvious. The initial transparent state

represents very high light transmittance (for voltage + 2.5
V). The transmittance is reduced with decreasing voltage.
The darkening (coloured) state in the sample of the
electrochromic glass is achieved for voltage about -2 V.
3. Conclusion
Measurements of optical properties of the investigated
electrochromic glass sample give results that spectral
transmittance can vary about 40-50% in the spectral
range between 500 and 900 nm. It means visible and near
infrared part of solar radiation could be reduced
significantly by this type of glazing. The electrochromic
glasses have found applications in architecture to
compare the other above mentioned chromogenic
glazings. But these glazings have limited use because of
high investment price. They are mainly used on facades
of commercial or experimental buildings.
On the other hand the advantage of chromogenic
glazings in a comparison with common window glasses is
in possibility of dynamic regulation of solar radiation
transmittance. Chromogenic glasses reduce overheating
and glare in building interiors and they have positive
influence on indoor visual comfort. Common solar
control glasses are tinted or coated with permanent light
filters. During overcast sky conditions these glasses have
influence on poor indoor daylighting which leads to the
necessity of artificial lighting.
In many cases advantage of transparency of glazed
building envelopes is not used properly - glazed parts of
building facades and roofs should satisfy for solar gains
for reduction of energy consumption in buildings and
daylighting for living and working indoor environment.
But in practice glazed envelopes represent very high
requirements for energy consumption in buildings
energy for heating (high heat losses through the glazed
envelopes), cooling (overheating problems) and artificial
lighting (permanent solar control filters and solar
shadings could cause poor daylight condition in
interiors).
Chromogenic glazings present one of possible modern
ways of the solar gain controlled regulation which would
be important for indoor visual and thermal comfort in
buildings. Modern thin film deposition technologies may
bring reduction of investment price of these glazings and
possibility for their wider applications in buildings.
Acknowledgements
The electrochromic glazing investigation was
supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
(grant project No. 104/02/0731), by the Grant Agency of
the Academy of Sciences (grant project No.
KJB4813302) and by the Ministry of Education (project
LN00A065).
The author thanks to Prof. Jiri Vondrak, PhD
(Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Czech Academy of
Sciences) and Assoc. Prof. Marie Sedlarikova, PhD
(Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Brno University of
Technology) for their help.

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