Could A New Type Of Paint Generate Electricity?
A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame, led by Prashant V. Kamat, develops a semi-conductive paint that turns surfaces of application into solar cells.
The U.S. Patent office describes the solar paint as “nanomaterial scaffolds for electron transport.”
Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT's) create scaffold architecture, which allows electrons to move efficiently.
Titanium dioxide and either cadmium sulfide or cadmium senenide coats nanoparticles. When suspended in a water and alcohol mixture the particles then form a paste.
SWCNT's share special properties that can boost the solar paint’s photoconversion efficiency:
“The unique electrical and electronic properties, wide electrochemical stability window, and high surface area render SWCNT's beneficial as a scaffold to anchor light harvesting assemblies. In accordance with an embodiment, the electron accepting ability of semiconducting SWCNT's thus offers an opportunity to facilitate electron transport and thus increase the photoconversion efficiency of nanostructure semiconductor based solar cells,” said Kamat.
This points to clear possibilities surrounding an inexpensive and efficient solar paint. The generation of electricity could come from the application of the paint onto everyday surfaces like fences and homes. This product could serve as a huge breakthrough for renewable energy production.
SOURCE:
{1}. http://www.solarfeeds.com/futurewatch-solar-paint/
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