Transparent functional nanocomposite films based on octahedral metal clusters synthesis by electrophoretic deposition process and characterization

Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen (1, 2) , Marion Dubernet (1, 2) , Yoshio Matsui (1) , Maxence Wilmet (3, 2) , Naoto Shirahata (1) , Gaulthier Rydzek (1, 4) , Noee Dumait (3) , Maria Amela-Cortes (3) , Adèle Renaud (3) , Stéphane Cordier (3) , Yann Molard (3) , Fabien Grasset (1, 2) , Tetsuo Uchikoshi (1, 2)

1 NIMS - National Institute for Materials Science
2 LINK - Laboratory for Innovative Key Materials and Structures
3 ISCR - Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes
4 Trinity College Dublin

Transparent optical thin films have recently attracted a growing interest for functional window applications. In this study, highly visible transparent nanocomposite films with ultraviolet (UV)-near-infrared (NIR)-blocking capabilities are reported. Such films, composed of Mo6 and Nb6 octahedral metal atom clusters (MC) and polymethylmethacrylate polymer (PMMA), were prepared by electrophoretic deposition on indium tin oxide-coated glass (ITO glass). PMMA was found to improve both the chemical and physical stability of Mo6 and Nb6 MCs, resulting in a relatively homogeneous distribution of the clusters within the PMMA matrix, as seen by microstructural observations. The optical absorption spectrum of these transparent MC@polymer nanocomposite films was marked by contributions from their Mo6 and Nb6-based clusters (absorption in the UV range) and from the ITO layer on silica glass (absorption in the NIR range). Mo6@PMMA nanocomposite films also exhibited excellent photoluminescence properties, which were preserved even after exposure to 508C at a relative humidity of 70% for one month. These films cumulate high transparency in the visible range with remarkable UV-NIR blocking properties and represent interesting candidates for functional glass application.

Keywords: photoluminescence; NIR; electrophoretic deposition; molybdenum cluster; niobium cluster

Domains: Chemical Sciences; Material chemistry

Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen, Marion Dubernet, Yoshio Matsui, Maxence Wilmet, Naoto Shirahata, et al.. Transparent functional nanocomposite films based on octahedral metal clusters synthesis by electrophoretic deposition process and characterization. Royal Society Open Science, 2019, 6 (3), pp.181647. ⟨10.1098/rsos.181647⟩. ⟨hal-02120808⟩