Carbon based smart windows : applications of graphene oxide

• Main Author: Chua, Austen
• Other Authors: Alfred Tok Iing Yoong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Energy materials; DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Nanostructured materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66350
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This thesis presented the study of carbon-based derivatives for smart window applications in controlling heat loss through glass. Heat loss through windows come in two main forms. Energy transfer through the glass via radiation and conduction. Many of the current technologies tackle one or the other but not both. This thesis is aimed at using carbon based derivatives in order to come up with a novel method to control both forms of heat loss. The ideal end-state would be a film with the capability to change colour and transmission upon human triggered stimuli. In the first part of the thesis, 1-dimensional material, Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) were used to form a solution which was largely opaque. Elucidation of macroscopic movement with an electric current was the major hurdle as only microscopic movement or alignment had been reported for SWCNT in solutions when a voltage was passed through. This thesis approached the problem from various angles including changing of solution type, concentration and matrix shape. Eventually, after many different attempts, it was decided that macroscopic movement with an applied electric current was unlikely and another material was chosen. The second material chosen was 2-dimensional material, Graphene Oxide (GO). This material had a number of unique properties which made it desirable for the application, including pH dependant opacity, ease of reduction with applied voltage and the ability to revert back to transparency after turning opaque. Using it as a thin film proved more effective in colour change and sensitivity toward electrical stimuli. Usage of GO was determined to have more potential application for smart windows as compared to SWCNT due to the inherent issue of elucidating macroscopic movement, whereas GO was able to change colour simply upon human triggered electrical stimuli.