Optical composites based on organic polymers and semiconductor pigments

The aim of the work was the development of optical organic-inorganic composite materials with high absorption of light the visible part of the spectrum and high reflection in the near infrared region of the spectrum. Such materials are used in industry and construction as coatings. To create these optical composites, epoxy and epoxy-polyurethane polymer matrices containing inorganic semiconducting particles (CuS, PbS, Fe3O4) were used. Highly dispersive powders of inorganic pigments were used for the preparation of homogeneous composite materials. The wet precipitation method with the application of organic stabilizing additions was applied for the preparation of dispersive CuS and PbS powders. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis helped to study the crystal structure and morphology of the obtained semiconductor pigments. PMT-3 device was applied for microhardness measurements of the prepared composite materials. Based on the data of X-ray diffraction analysis, the average crystallite size was calculated using the Scherrer formula. It was found that freshly precipitated CuS and PbS powders consist of nanocrystals with a size of 11–20 nm. Optical microscopy data indicate the formation of aggregates of semiconductor nanocrystals in powders. Experiments have shown that all synthesized composites have low light reflection coefficient (less than 0.06) in the visible part of the spectrum and an increased light reflection coefficient in the near infrared region of the spectrum (0.13–0.15 and more). The results of the study showed that the use of epoxy-polyurethane polymer matrices provides greater microhardness of composite materials, compared to the composites based on epoxy polymers. The highest microhardness values were observed in composite materials based on epoxy-polyurethane polymers containing highly dispersed Fe3O4 particles. Obtained organic-inorganic composites could be used as materials for light-absorbing coatings in different industrial applications.