Review: smart windows based on photonic crystals

Smart windows control indoor solar radiation by regulating the transmittance of light, which is a promising way to reduce building energy consumption. The advent of photonic crystals (PCs) has accelerated the industrialization of smart windows. The combination of static and dynamic regulation can be realized based on the photon control function of photonic band gaps, which is expected to achieve the ideal effect of light transmission and heat control. This paper reviews recent advances of electrochromic and thermochromic smart windows based on PCs. Firstly, theory, materials, performance and development of electrochromic and thermochromic smart windows based on PCs are briefly outlined. Typical structures of electrochromic and thermochromic PCs are introduced in detail, from preparation process, morphology characterization and performance analysis, which provides directions for the future development and construction of smart windows based on PCs. Finally, challenges and opportunities facing next-generation smart windows are summarized.