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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Innovative concepts for the solar building program evaluation of photochromic plastics: Final report, October 1987--September 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6358356

The objective of this program is to investigate the feasibility of using photochromic plastics as optical switching glazing apertures for control and/or use of solar energy employing a new class of light durable photochromic compounds, spirooxazines. Phase I involved formulating and evaluating different polymer compositions with various light absorbers and light stabilizers to improve the photochromic durability of spirooxazines in several polymeric hosts. A significant portion of our efforts has been concentrated on obtaining a formation which is usable for the commercial glue-on polyester films to impart them with an added optical switching property. Two types of light stabilizers, organonickel and hindered amine light stabilizers, can significantly improve the photochromic durability of spirooxazines without impairing their photochromic functions. The most effective light stabilizers for each polymeric host have been identified and used to formulate plastic compositions for the preparation of durable optical switching elements. We have formulated two acrylic adhesives containing both organonickel and hindered amine light stabilizers which are very photostable. 4 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
American Optical Corp., Southbridge, MA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-87SF17300
OSTI ID:
6358356
Report Number(s):
DOE/SF/17300-T1; ON: DE89006701
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English