Optical and Electrical Switching of Thermochromic Metal Oxide Nanostructures

Abstract

Solid state thermochromic materials are a class of materials that, at some specific temperatures, undergo critical temperature changes from semiconductors to metals. These materials act as a class of smart materials that change colour because of a phase transition caused by the change in temperature. These materials are distinguished by the memory capabilities in response to the change in temperature. These materials have significant potential for a variety of industrial applications, such as smart windows, sensors, and anti-counterfeiting technologies. These materials also exhibit various decolorization mechanisms in a wide variety of forms. This chapter reviews the general concept of the chromogenic and their different forms, categorization of different thermochromic materials, decolorization mechanisms, and some prominent applications.