Supplementary material from "Transparent functional nanocomposite films based on octahedral metal clusters: synthesis by electrophoretic deposition process and characterization"

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 50°C 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.