Dilute LaB6 nanoparticles in polymer as optimized clear solar control glazing

Window samples with a LaB6 nanoparticle-doped polymer laminate were tested for their performances in the reduction of solar heat gain. The near-infrared absorption, caused by the excitation of surface plasmons, was modeled using an average ellipsoid approach, including a size-induced broadening of the Drude part of the dielectric function. The resonance positions are well reproduced by this method and the size effect broadens the bulk resonance to an extent observed in the sample spectra. Additional broadening and spectral features observed in the absorption of the samples are attributed to shape and orientation effects.