Photochromic solar control films

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016202402-A1
Application number	US-201514984181-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 30, 2015
Priority date	Dec 31, 2014
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to solar control films containing a photochromic layer. For example, in certain embodiments, a solar control film includes a photochromic layer comprising an inorganic photochromic material and an infrared control layer.

First claim

1 . A solar control film comprising a solar control layer and a photochromic layer, the photochromic layer comprising an inorganic photochromic layer integrated into the solar control film.

2 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic photochromic layer adapted to provide UV protection to a solar control layer.

3 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the solar control film has a first state and a second state, wherein the solar control film is adapted to transition from the first state to the second state in response to UV light, wherein in the first state, the solar control film has a VLT of at least about 60%, and wherein in the second state, the solar control film has a VLT of less than the VLT of the solar control film in the first state.

4 . The solar control film of claim 3 , wherein in the first state, the solar control film has a TSER of at least about 15%, and wherein the second state, the solar control film has a greater TSER than in the first state.

5 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer comprises a photochromic material comprising an inorganic metal oxide.

6 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer comprises a photochromic material comprising an oxide of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, yttrium, zinc, or combinations of the preceding metal oxides and silver.

7 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer comprises a photochromic material comprising a hydrated yttrium oxide.

8 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer has a thickness in a range of from 50 nanometers to 2000 nanometers, or even 100 nanometers to 1000 nanometers.

9 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer is adapted to decrease the visible light transmission when exposed to ultraviolet light.

10 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer is adapted to absorb at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, or even at least 20% more visible light in response to sufficient exposure to UV light for a full transition to a tinted state.

11 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the photochromic layer is adapted to protect the solar control layer from degradation from UV light.

12 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the solar control layer comprises a precious metal layer; and wherein the total thickness of all precious metal layers is in a range of from 5 nanometers to 30 nanometers.

13 . The solar control film of claim 1 , wherein the solar control film has a transmittance of ultraviolet light (TUV) of at least about 0.01%, at least about 0.05%, or even at least about 0.1% as measured in the bleached state.

14 . The solar control film claim 1 , wherein the solar control film has a total solar energy rejection (TSER) dynamic capability of at least about 1%, at least about 3%, at least about 5%, at least about 7%, at least about 9%, or even at least about 11% in response to sufficient exposure to ultraviolet light for a full transition to a tinted state.

15 . An assembly comprising:
a. a substantially transparent substrate, and b. the solar control film of any one of the preceding claims adjacent the substantially transparent substrate; c. wherein the solar control film absorbs at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, or even at least 20% more visible light in response to sufficient exposure to ultraviolet light for a full transition to a tinted state as measured before laminating to the transparent substrate; and d. wherein the assembly maintains at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the difference between visible light transmission before and after sufficient exposure to ultraviolet light for a full transition to a tinted state as measured after lamination to the transparent substrate.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the solar control film includes a photochromic layer adapted to provide UV protection to a solar control layer.

17 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the solar control film has a transmittance of ultraviolet light (TUV) of no greater than about 30% as measured in a bleached state.

18 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the photochromic layer comprises a photochromic material comprising an inorganic metal oxide.

19 . The assembly of claim 18 , wherein the solar control layer comprises a precious metal layer; and wherein the total thickness of all precious metal layers is in a range of from 5 nanometers to 30 nanometers.

20 . A method of forming a solar control film comprising:
a. providing a substrate; b. forming a solar control layer; and c. forming a photochromic layer in-line with the solar control layer.

Assignees

• Saint Gobain Performance Plast

Inventors

• Soon Jia-Mei
• Leyder Charles

Classifications

• G02B5/23 Primary

  Photochromic filters · CPC title

• G02B5/208

  for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation · CPC title