Solar-reflective pigments and coatings for energy saving
Background
A rapid growth of population and urbanization has caused an increased demand of energy for residential buildings. The energy required for air-conditioning system accounts for approximately 50% of total energy consumption. According to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, at least 10% of the energy can be reduced by raising an air-conditioning temperature for 1ºC. Therefore, it is of great importance to prevent heat from passing through the buildings, thus reducing the consumed energy loading.
Goal
- To develop high solar-reflective pigments which are used to formulate paint and glaze for coating of building envelops such as wall and roof.
- To synthesize red, orange and blue pigments with NIR reflectance comparable to those of the commercial pigments.
- To develop paint and glaze with NIR reflectance comparable to those formulated from the commercial pigments.
What does the research team do?
- Synthesize solar-reflective pigments by a solid-state reaction method in which synthesis parameters such as raw material composition, doping element and calcination temperature are investigated to find an optimum condition that yields pigments of desired color and with high NIR reflectance.
- Formulate paint and glaze in which parameters such as raw material composition and pigment content are investigated to find an optimum condition that yields coatings with high NIR reflectance.
Research results
- Lab-scale prototypes for the synthesis of red, orange and blue pigments with NIR reflectance comparable to or higher than those of the commercial pigments.
- Lab-scale prototypes for the formulation of NIR-reflective paint and glaze.
- Petty patent for the fabrication of NIR-reflective orange pigment.
Research status
Completed
Outlook
R&D Phase II at a pilot scale and a commercial scale with a competitive cost.
Research team:
MTEC: Dr. Sitthisuntorn Supothina, Dr. Parjaree Thavorniti, Mantana Suwan, Nuchjarin Sangwong and Khemmakorn Gomonsirisuk
KMUTT: Asst. Prof. Pattana Rukkwamsuk
KMUTNB: Asst. Prof. Wanlop Harnnarongchai
KMUTL: Asst. Prof. Panpailin Seeharaj
Contact:
Dr. Sitthisuntorn Supothina (Principal Researcher)
Ceramics and Construction, Materials Research Group
Tel: 02 5646 500 ext. 4234
E-mail: sitthis@mtec.or.th
