Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A NANO COMPOSITE FOR HARNESSING SOLAR ENERGY

Abstract

A process for the manufacture of a nanocomposite for harnessing solar energy comprising the steps of dissolving 1.0 g to 2.5 g of polyethylene glycol PEG 4000(functionalized polym erg) in ethanol (10-50 m I); mixing 1 ml to 5 ml tetraethylorthosilicate therewith to obtain a clear solution; adding 0.2g to 1.5g heteropolyacid to the said clear solution and refluxing the resulting m ass~ the solvent being thereafter rem oved to obtain the said nanocomposite as a clear viscous gel.

Full Text

This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a nanocomposite for harnessing solar energy. The term "solar energy" in this specification includes energy from any light source. The commercial applications of such nanocomposite lie in the manufacture of solar cells, photoelectrochromic cells among others. The end product of the process proposed herein is a clear viscous gel which is coated on to a suitable substrate such as a glass plate and dried in an oven. The coating, when exposed to sunlight or other light source absorbs energy from such source to furnish an electric output necessary for the operation of equipment such as those exemplified above. The main advantage of this invention is that the gel obtained at the end of the process has acceptably high light energy absorbing, retaining and storing properties. The process, according to this invention, for the manufacture of a nanocomposite for harnessing solar energy comprises the steps of dissolving 1.0 g to 2.5 g of polyethylene glycol PEG 4000(functionalized polymers) in ethanol (10-50 ml); mixing 1 ml to 5 ml tetraethylorthosilicate therewith to obtain a clear We Claim: 1. A process for the manufacture of a nanocomposite for harnessing solar energy comprising the steps of dissolving 1.0 g to 2.5 g of polyethylene glycol PEG 4000(functionalized polymers) in ethanol (10-50 ml); mixing 1 ml to 5 ml tetraethylorthosilicate therewith to obtain a clear solution; adding 0.2g to 1.5g hetero poly acid to the said clear solution and refluxing the resulting mass, the solvent being subsequently removed to obtain the said nanocomposite as a clear viscous gel. 2. The process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the heteropolyacid is phosphotungstic acid. 3. The process as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the refluxing is carried out in an oil bath for 6 hours. 4. A process for the manufacture of a nanocomposite for harnessing solar energy substantially as herein described and as illustrated with reference to the Example. Dated this the 18th day of March 2005

Documents:

222-che-2003-abstract.pdf

222-che-2003-claims filed.pdf

222-che-2003-claims grant.pdf

222-che-2003-correspondnece-others.pdf

222-che-2003-correspondnece-po.pdf

222-che-2003-description(complete)filed.pdf

222-che-2003-description(complete)grant.pdf

222-che-2003-form 1.pdf

222-che-2003-form 19.pdf

222-che-2003-form 26.pdf