Thermochromism of vanadium–titanium oxide prepared from peroxovanadate and peroxotitanate

Vanadium–titanium complex oxides were prepared through a new synthetic route from peroxovanadate and peroxotitanate solutions, and their thermochromism were investigated. Reflectance spectra for V0.48Ti0.52O2 pellet showed a reversible reflectivity increase in the wavelength region of 700–1,000 nm above 45 C. The reflectivity was increased gradually from 45 C to ca. 80 C unlike the conventional VO2 which shows an abrupt increase at 67 C. The mechanism was discussed using powder XRD patterns, SEM images and element distribution maps.