n Multifunctional Antireflection Coatings Based on Novel Hollow

*S Supporting Information ABSTRACT: Antireflection (AR) coatings that exhibit multi-functional characteristics, including high transparency, robust resistance to moisture, high hardness, and antifogging proper-ties, were developed based on hollow silica−silica nano-composites. These novel nanocomposite coatings with a closed-pore structure, consisting of hollow silica nanospheres (HSNs) infiltrated with an acid-catalyzed silica sol (ACSS), were fabricated using a low-cost sol−gel dip-coating method. The refractive index of the nanocomposite coatings was tailored by controlling the amount of ACSS infiltrated into the HSNs during synthesis. Photovoltaic transmittance (TPV) values of 96.86− 97.34 % were obtained over a broad range of wavelengths, from 300 to 1200 nm; these values were close to the theoretical limit for a lossy single-layered AR coating (97.72%). The nanocomposite coatings displayed a stable TPV, with degradation values of less than 4 % and 0.1 % after highly accelerated temperature and humidity stress tests, and abrasion tests, respectively. In addition, the nanocomposite coatings had a hardness of approximately 1.6 GPa, while the porous silica coatings with an open-pore structure showed more severe degradation and had a lower hardness. The void fraction and surface roughness of th