The antagonism between global energy needs and the obligation to slow global warming is a current challenge. In order to ensure sufficient thermal comfort, the automotive, housing and agricultural building sectors are major energy consumers. Solar control materials and more particularly, selective glazing are part of the solutions proposed to reduce global energy consumption and tackle global warming. In this context, these works are focused on developing new highly ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) absorbent nanocomposite coatings based on K4[{Nb6-xTaxXi12}Xa6]. (X = Cl, Br, 0 ≤ x ≤ 6) transition metal cluster compounds. These compounds contain cluster-based active species that are characterized by their strong absorption of UV and NIR radiations as well as their good transparency in the visible range, which makes them particularly attractive for window applications. Their integration, by solution processes, into a silica-polyethylene glycol or polyvinylpyrrolidone matrices is discussed. Of particular interest is the control and the tuning of their optical properties during the integration and shaping processes. The properties of the solutions and films were investigated by complementary techniques (UV-Vis-NIR spectrometry, ESI-MS, SEM, HRTEM, etc.). Results of these works have led to the development of versatile solar control coatings whose optical properties are competitive with commercialized material.
Keywords: UV and NIR blocker; nanocomposites; octahedral metal clusters; solar glazing; thin films.