Novel silver barrier materials for low-emissivity applications

A method to form a low emissivity coating, comprising

• providing a transparent substrate;
• forming a first layer on the transparent substrate, wherein the first layer comprises silver, wherein the first layer is operable as an infrared reflective layer;
• forming a second layer on the first layer, wherein the second layer is operable as a barrier layer,
• wherein the second layer comprises an alloy of a first and a second elements,
• wherein the first element comprises one of Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mn, Y, Si, Ti, or any combination thereof,
• wherein the second element comprises one of Ru, Ni, Co, Mo, and W, or any combination thereof,
• wherein the alloy comprises between 85 wt % and 50 wt % of the first element and between 15 wt % and 50 wt % of the second element.

A low emissivity panel, comprising

• a transparent substrate;
• a first layer disposed on the transparent substrate, wherein the first layer comprises silver, wherein the first layer is operable as an infrared reflective layer;
• a second layer disposed on the first layer, wherein the second layer is operable as a barrier layer,
• wherein the second layer comprises an alloy of a first and a second element,
• wherein the first element comprises one of Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mn, Y, Si, Ti, or any combination thereof,
• wherein the second element comprises one of Ru, Ni, Co, Mo, W, or any combination thereof,
• wherein the alloy comprises between 85 wt % and 50 wt % of the first element and between 15 wt % and 50 wt % of the second element.