The design of Zn2SiO4 pigments for thermal control coatings

Zn₂SiO₄ pigments were synthesized from ZnO and SiO₂ powders obtained from different manufacturers at various concentration ratios and differing in particle size and specific surface area. The optimal values of particle size and specific surface area were determined, thus making it possible to obtain the pigments with a small value of solar absorptance (α_s). The α_s values of the synthesized pigments were compared with other types of pigments used to design thermal control coatings. The study showed that it is possible to synthesize Zn₂SiO₄ powders with high reflectivity in a wide spectral range (200−2500 nm) and a small value of solar absorptance (α_s = 0.077) — significantly lower compared to ZnO powders — using a solid-state method from zinc oxide micropowders and silicon dioxide nanopowders.