Method of preparing a photo-active material and compositions comprising the same

Abstract

A fusion powder coating useful in forming a coating by fusion of the powder comprising a solar active or a photovoltaic pigment in combination with a resin including a conductive resin and a device for generating electric energy from solar or photo illumination comprising an electrode, a first powder coated layer of an absorptive pigment and a resin, a second powder coated layer of the aforementioned solar active powder, and a protective layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing a photo-active material in combination with a powder coating composition to create a solar-active powder coating composition, the method comprising:
 creating a solar-active masterbatch composition having from conductive pigments, polyurethane resin, titanium dioxide, and silicon dioxide, said masterbatch composition having particles with a size of less than about 9.0 microns; and   blending the solar-active masterbatch composition into a conductive resin to produce a solar-active powder coating composition; and   wherein the solar-active powder coating composition, when fused into a continuous film on a substrate, produces electricity when exposed to light.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the solar-active masterbatch includes nanocrystal semiconductors with indium tin oxide. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the particles are formed as droplets having a size between 1.0 and 2.0 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the conductive pigment is a conjugated phenolic resin. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the conductive resin has a melt viscosity of about 8500 cps at 200° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the solar-active masterbatch is provided at between 2.5 to 4.5 wt. % of the solar-active powder coating composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the conductive resin is at least one selected from poly(2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene and poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl). 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the solar-active masterbatch is provided at between 2.5 to 4.5 wt. % of the solar-active powder coating composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the conductive pigment is a conjugated phenolic resin. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the curative is triglycidylisocyanaturate.