Study of thermochromic VO2 material as thermal switch for power lines

Thin thermochromic VO
₂
films grown by RF magnetron sputtering on various substrates (SnO
₂
/glass, glass, Si) and with different deposition parameters, were studied in order to find the optimum conditions to produce thin film coatings with good thermochromic and thermoelectric characteristics as required for power line protection / switching applications. Regarding the electrical/electronic applications of metal to insulator transition materials they may include thermal switches, thermal sensors, energy dissipation, circuit protection etc. In particular, applications currently under consideration include electrical power systems such as cooling systems in high voltage and high power equipment, integration of thermal switches and sensors in power electronic systems and elements, intelligent current protection systems such as thermal triggered fuses and circuit breakers. In addition, their involvement in industry is also considered as such in control systems for industrial electrical heating systems and elements. In this study the influence of the different substrates on the thermochromic properties of VO
₂
films and their correlation to applications as thermal switches was attempted. Properly tuning the growth parameters, to obtain thermochromic VO
₂
films under optimum conditions was made including depositions on glass, SnO2-coated glass and Si substrates.