Interface-Driven Thermo-Electric Switching Performance of VO$^+$ Diffused Soda-Lime Glass

TL;DR

This study demonstrates reversible NaVO+ segregation and thermo-responsive electrical switching at the interface of vanadium oxide thin films and soda-lime glass, suggesting potential for smart window and thermal sensor applications.

Contribution

It reveals the reversible formation and switching of NaVO+ complexes at the interface, a novel finding in thermo-responsive vanadium oxide-glass systems.

Findings

Reversible NaVO+ segregation observed between 25°C and 340°C.

Thermo-responsive electrical behavior linked to NaVO+ complex formation.

Potential applications in thermo-optical switches and smart windows.

Abstract

Strongly confined NaVO$^+$ segregation and its thermo-responsive functionality at the interface between simple sputter-deposited amorphous vanadium oxide thin films and soda-lime glass was substantiated in the present study by in-situ temperature-controlled Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The obtained ToF-SIMS depth profiles provided unambiguous evidence for a reversible transformation that caused systematic switching of the NaVO$^+$/ Na$^+$ and Na$^+$/ VO$^+$ intensities upon cycling the temperature between 25 $^\circ$C and 340 $^\circ$C. Subsequently, NaVO complexes were found to be reversibly formed (at 300 $^\circ$C) in vanadium oxide diffused glass, leading to thermo-responsive electrical behaviour of the thin film glass system. This new segregation -- and diffusion-dependent multifunctionality of NaVO$^+$ -- points towards applications as an advanced material for thermo-optical switches, in smart windows or in thermal sensors.