Rapid development of the thermochromic glazing technique promises next-generation architectural windows with energy-saving characteristics by intelligently regulating indoor solar irradiation via modulating windows’ optical properties in response to the surrounding temperature. Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is a promising material for energy-saving smart windows due to its reversible metal-to-insulator transition near room temperature and accompanying large changes in its optical properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the application of VO₂ to smart windows with particular emphasis on recent progress from the electronic, atomic, nano, and micron perspectives. The effects of intrinsic atomic defects, elemental doping, and lattice strain on VO₂ nanocrystals are examined. Nano- and microscale morphology engineering approaches that aim to enhance the thermochromic performance and impart practical multi-functionalities are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future directions of VO₂-based smart windows are elaborated to bridge the gap between the lab research and large-scale practical applications.

热致变色玻璃技术的快速发展有望通过具有适应环境温度的功能，通过调节窗户的光学特性来智能地调节室内太阳辐射，从而使下一代建筑窗户具有节能特性。二氧化钒（VO ₂）由于在室温附近可逆地从金属到绝缘体的转变以及随之而来的光学特性发生巨大变化，因此是节能智能窗户的有前途的材料。这篇综述提供了VO ₂在智能窗户上的应用的全面概述，特别是从电子，原子，纳米和微米的角度重点介绍了最新进展。固有原子缺陷，元素掺杂和晶格应变对VO _2的影响检查纳米晶体。总结了旨在提高热致变色性能并赋予实用多功能性的纳米级和微米级形态工程方法。最后，阐述了基于VO ₂的智能窗的挑战和未来方向，以弥合实验室研究与大规模实际应用之间的差距。