Harvesting solar energy just by applying a paint coat on a conductive surface? This may be the answer to the high cost energy bills, I think at least a step towards right direction. A group of researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a so-called “solar paint” by using semiconducting nanoparticles to harvest energy.
This new material is based on nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide which use cadmium sulfide or cadmium selenide as a coating. Then these particles combined with water-alcohol mixture which makes the paste for the paint.
The team’s search for the new material, described in the journal ACS Nano, centered on nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide, which were coated with either cadmium sulfide or cadmium selenide. The particles were then suspended in a water-alcohol mixture to create a paste.
According to lead researcher Professor. Prashant Kamat (Professor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry) at Notre Dame’s Center for Nano Science and Technology (NDnano), “We want to do something transformative, to move beyond current silicon-based solar technology”. By applying this paste to a transparent conductive surface it’s ready to generate electricity, all you have to is exposed it to light.
Professor. Prashant Kamat says “But this paint can be made cheaply and in large quantities. If we can improve the efficiency somewhat, we may be able to make a real difference in meeting energy needs in the future”, “That’s why we’ve christened the new paint, Sun-Believable,” he adds.
Information Source: University of Notre Dame