Molecular assemblies as protective barriers and adhesion promotion interlayer

• US 5,487,792 A
• Filed: 06/13/1994
• Issued: 01/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
• Inventors: Kennedy, Cheryl E., King, David E., Czanderna, Alvin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US08/258,984
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 136/251, 136/256, 136/259, 106/14.43, 148/271, 427/337, 427/402, 427/404, 437/2-5, 359/514, 428/457
• US Class Current: 136/256
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02167 for solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 Of metal

Abstract

A protective diffusion barrier having adhesive qualifies for metalized surfaces is provided by a passivating agent having the formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH Which forms a very dense, transparent organized molecular assembly or layer that is impervious to water, alkali, and other impurities and corrosive substances that typically attack metal surfaces.

Claims

1. An article having a metal surface, comprising:

a diffusion barrier comprising an agent having the general formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH deposited on said metal surface.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein said metal surface comprises a silver layer.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein said article further comprises said silver layer being deposited over a substrate thereby sandwiching said silver layer between said diffusion barrier and said substrate.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is a mirror.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is a photovoltaic cell.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein said metal surface comprises the light-incident electrodes of said photovoltaic cells.

7. A mirror, comprising:

a substrate;

a reflective layer of metal deposited on said substrate; and

a diffusion barrier comprising a passivating agent having the formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH adsorbed to said reflective layer such that said reflective layer is encapsulated by said substrate and said diffusion barrier.

8. A photovoltaic device, comprising:

light-incident electrodes; and

a diffusion barrier comprising a passivating agent having the formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH adsorbed to said electrodes.

9. A method for fabricating a long-lasting mirror capable of long-term use as an effective reflector in solar collector applications, said method comprising the steps of:

depositing a planarizing reflective layer of metal on the surface of a substrate; and

coating said reflective layer with a diffusion barrier wherein said diffusion barrier has the formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said reflective layer of metal comprises silver.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said substrate comprises a thin, flexible polymer sheet.

12. A method for fabricating a long-lasting photovoltaic solar cell capable of longterm use as an efficient energy producer in solar collector applications, said method comprising the steps of:

coating the light incident electrodes of the photovoltaic solar cell with a diffusion barrier wherein said diffusion barrier has the formula HS--(CH₂)₁₁ --COOH.