An alkoxysilane comprising a functional group is used as an additive in the silver nanoparticle ink, and as an adhesion promoter (or primer layer) on the surface of the substrate in order to enhance the adhesion of silver nanoparticle inks on temperature-sensitive plastic substrates. The combination of the functionalized alkoxysilane both in the ink and on the substrate's surface provides enhanced adhesion after annealing the ink at a low temperature. The adhesion of the annealed films improves from a 0B-3B level to 4B-5B when tested according to ASTM D3359. No degradation of adhesion and no change of color are observed after aging the annealed films in a humidity chamber.

A primer layer comprising a polyvinyl butyral resin enhances adhesion of silver nanoparticle inks onto plastic substrates. The primer layer comprises a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin having a polyvinyl alcohol content between about 18 wt. % to about 21 wt. %. The PVB resin may also have a glass transition temperature greater than about 70° C. Optionally, the PVB primer layer may further be enhanced by cross-linking using a melamine-formaldehyde resin. Conductive traces formed on plastic substrates having the PVB primer layer exhibit an acceptable cross-hatch adhesion rating with little to no degradation of adhesion being observed after exposure to 4-days salt mist aging or 1-day high humidity aging.

Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells, hybrid solar cell-batteries, and other such devices may include an active layer disposed between two electrodes. The active layer may have perovskite material and other material such as mesoporous material, interfacial layers, thin-coat interfacial layers, and combinations thereof. The perovskite material may be photoactive. The perovskite material may be disposed between two or more other materials in the photovoltaic device. Inclusion of these materials in various arrangements within an active layer of a photovoltaic device may improve device performance. Other materials may be included to further improve device performance, such as, for example: additional perovskites, and additional interfacial layers.

A method for obtaining copper arsenic chalcogen derived nanoparticles, including selecting a first precursor material from the group comprising copper, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, and mixtures thereof, selecting a second material from the group comprising sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and mixtures thereof, and then reacting both precursors in a solvent medium at conditions conducive to the formation of copper arsenic chalcogen derived nanoparticles.

A method for obtaining copper arsenic chalcogen derived nanoparticles, including selecting a first precursor material from the group comprising copper, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, and mixtures thereof, selecting a second material from the group comprising sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and mixtures thereof, and then reacting both precursors in a solvent medium at conditions conducive to the formation of copper arsenic chalcogen derived nanoparticles.

A method for producing infra-red inert substrates, including molded polymeric articles, films, fibers and coatings and other organic and inorganic materials, by incorporating into the substrate or onto the surface of the substrate an effective amount of a dispersed bis-oxodihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone colorant. The thus obtained, also claimed substrates so produced are reflective and transparent to much of the near infra red radiation not reflected. There are multiple applications for cases of devices comprising electronic components, outdoor construction elements, outdoor furniture, automotive, marine or aerospace parts, laminates, artificial leather or textile materials, as well as in polychrome printing processes and optical fibers. The thus obtained substrates can also be subjected to laser welding. New bis-oxo-dihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone compounds are also claimed.

A method for producing infra-red inert substrates, including molded polymeric articles, films, fibers and coatings and other organic and inorganic materials, by incorporating into the substrate or onto the surface of the substrate an effective amount of a dispersed bis-oxodihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone colorant. The thus obtained, also claimed substrates so produced are reflective and transparent to much of the near infra red radiation not reflected. There are multiple applications for cases of devices comprising electronic components, outdoor construction elements, outdoor furniture, automotive, marine or aerospace parts, laminates, artificial leather or textile materials, as well as in polychrome printing processes and optical fibers. The thus obtained substrates can also be subjected to laser welding. New bis-oxo-dihydroindolylen-benzodifuranone compounds are also claimed.

According to one embodiment, an ink which can be decolored upon heating is provided. Colored images can be formed with the ink by various methods, such as ink jetting or the like, then later the images can be decolored with heat. An ink according to an embodiment contains a color developable compound, a color developing agent that causes the color developable compound to develop a color, a nonaqueous solvent, and a decoloring agent that is insoluble in the nonaqueous solvent and decolors the color developable compound upon heating.

According to one embodiment, an ink which can be decolored upon heating is provided. Colored images can be formed with the ink by various methods, such as ink jetting or the like, then later the images can be decolored with heat. An ink according to an embodiment contains a color developable compound, a color developing agent that causes the color developable compound to develop a color, a nonaqueous solvent, and a decoloring agent that is insoluble in the nonaqueous solvent and decolors the color developable compound upon heating.

An azo compound excellent in solubility in solvent and having a high absorbance coefficient is disclosed, as well as an ink containing the azo compound. Such an ink contains a solvent having a relative permittivity at 22° C. and at a measurement frequency of 1 kHz of 3 or less and having a solubility in water at 25° C. of 20 mg/L or less, and an azo compound.