Detail:

Abstract:
　　Thin films of thermochromic vanadium dioxide were deposited using a novel electric field assisted chemical vapor deposition methodology at atmospheric pressure onto glass substrates. Electric fields were generated during the deposition reaction by applying a potential difference across the inter-digitated electrodes of the gas sensor substrate or buy applying an electric field between two transparent conducting oxide coated glass substrates. The deposited films were analyzed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, variable temperature optical spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. It was found that applying an electric field led to large changes in film microstructure, preferential orientation and changes in the film growth rate. This led to significant changes in materials properties such as decreased crystallite size, nano-structuring, increased surface roughness and enhanced wetting behavior. The deposited films were evaluated using Energy Plus for their energy demand reduction characteristics in a variety of architectural settings and compared against existing glazing products. It was found that thermochromic thin films can offer significant energy demand reduction benefits.

Biosketch:
　　Dr Russell Binions completed his first degree (in Chemistry) from the college of St Hild and St Bede, the University of Durham in 2001. He subsequently completed a Ph.D. in 2005 at University College London (UCL).

Dr Binions was appointed as a Lecturer in Functional Materials in the School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London in September 2011, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Functional Materials in September 2015. He is also an Honorary Senior Research Associate at UCL. He was recently elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is the author of over 100 peer reviewed journal papers, 6 book chapters and 1 book. His research interests encompass new chemical vapour deposition techniques, metal oxide semiconductor materials, transparent conducting oxides, gas sensors, energy materials, photocatalysis and related areas, chromogenic materials, nanocomposite films and energy efficient building materials.