Need a transparent powder that is conductive...

[Evil Roy Slade]

Hi All,
can anybody suggest a powder that is electrically conductive and
is also transparent ?

I want to build a special solarcell and still need to know how I can best
use some powder to use in a paint mix, so that this mix is transparent
and still conducts electricity very well.

I am a little confused as to what you are trying to do. Can you expand on your theory?
One of my suppliers has a materials expert and may be able to help if I can provide more information to her.

ERS

[triffid]

Tin oxide is conductive and dries clear,Zinc oxide is conductive but white in color.Used in paints a lot.I have made zinc oxide at home by accident.I guess a thin enough layer would allow a lot of light to pass through.I used( a baking soda solution )with two zinc-plated bolts in  that solution and ran a current from a dc adapter through the solution,much to my surprise a really white layer of zinc oxide formed on one bolt.I would guess you could make your own tin oxide the same way but how would you see it?Triffid

[triffid]

Iodine solutions are conductive too..Triffid

[triffid]

A gold colloidal solution might do the trick.It would be a few atoms thick once dried on your glass plate.You would have to use trial and error.To get it right.You can make a gold colloidal solution by dipping two pieces of 24 k gold in distilled water and run a dc current through it for 15 minutes(from a dc adapter).Pour the solution(enough of it) to cover the glass plate.And let it dry through evaporation over the next few days.I have not done this but it seems to me this would work.Triffid

[triffid]

I think a real problem with this method is the gold atoms would be too easily washed away.I did not know how to fix the gold onto the glass plate(unless you want want to try heating the dried glass plate
in the oven at max temp for several hours?).Just a guess.Triffid