Thermochromic and Thermotropic Materials

“This book addresses the topics of materials that change optical properties with temperature. Specifically, temperature influences the colour of thermochromic materials and the transparency of thermotropic materials. The authors, Arno Seeboth and Detlef Lötzsch, are internationally known specialists in this area at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research.

“Thermochromic and Thermotropic Materials is up-to-date and comprehensive, covering many types of materials, including organic, inorganic, and polymer, from pure materials to complex mixtures and composites. States of matter include crystalline solids, amorphous materials, liquids and gels. The range of materials and applications is impressive, and the book includes several beautiful images of materials.

“This book is a useful complement to Chromic Phenomena by Peter Bamfield and Michael Hutchings (RSC Publishing, 2010) and to The Physics and Chemistry of Color by Kurt Nassau (Wiley, 2001). Overall, this is an interesting and useful book, especially for chemists interested in thermochromic and thermotropic materials, and also for scientists interested in knowing more about these interesting phenomena.”

~Prof. Mary Anne White, Dalhousie University, Canada

“The monograph Thermochromic and Thermotropic Materials, written by Arno Seeboth and Detlef Lötzsch, provides a very thorough albeit concise overview of materials that change their color or transparency depending on temperature. Two highly respected experts in the field share their decades-long experience with us in this valuable guidebook. In addition to describing the basic phenomena which lead to thermally induced changes of the reflection, absorption or scattering of light, the book contains many practical examples of suitable compounds and compositions together with substantial description of their applications.”

~Prof. Heinz-Siegfried Kitzerow, Universität Paderborn, Germany

“Thermochromic and thermotropic materials—which are capable of changing their optical properties such as transmittance, reflectance and light scattering as the temperature changes—have long been of interest as indicators and in displays. Recently, great strides have been made towards application of these materials in windows for energy-efficient buildings. Drs. Seeboth and Lötzsch have done an excellent job of summarizing current knowledge about these exciting materials, especially the organic and metal-organic types. This book is highly recommended to Ph.D. students in chemistry and polymer science, as well as to researchers in both academia and industry.”

~Prof. Claes G. Granqvist, Uppsala University, Sweden