Layer-by-Layer Alignment of Silver Nanowires for Transparent and Flexible Energy-Saving Windows

The energy consumption in buildings through thermal radiation of windows has become a big challenge in modern life. The low emission (Low-E) and near-infrared (NIR) blocking windows with high transparency are highly required in modern energy-saving buildings. While most existing low-E windows are severely limited by their complex and high-cost processing conditions and could only apply to new glasses. Herein low-E window foils fabricated via economical solution process with the aligned silver nanowires (AgNWs) are reported with low mid-IR emissivity (εMIR), high luminous transmittance (Tlum) and good energy-saving performance. It was found that the foils with aligned AgNWs structures give lower εMIR and higher Tlum compared with randomly oriented AgNWs foils. The low-cost process, high Tlum, low εMIR and flexibility to apply on any surface opens a new avenue to cut down energy consumption in existing windows.