Enhancement of the Mie scattering effect using floatstone‐like TiO 2 spherical micropigment

Floatstone‐like TiO 2 microparticles with an efficiently enhanced Mie scattering effect were developed by thermofusing of rutile‐type TiO 2 submicron particles on the template core of poly(acrylate) microspheres. The light reflectance of the floatstone‐like TiO 2 microparticles was approximately 10% higher than that of the usual rutile‐type TiO 2 submicron particles in a wavelength range from 400 to 850 nm. The diffuse reflectance of the microparticles is enhanced by the formation of a floatstone‐like structure, whereas there is no difference in the specular reflectance of the particles. As an application of the floatstone‐like TiO 2 microparticles, the contribution of the particles to the light‐trapping effect of a solar cell was examined. The power conversion efficiency of the solar cell was enhanced by 22% with the introduction of a light‐scattering layer composed of the floatstone‐like TiO 2 microparticles.