Highly Reflective Microcrystalline/Amorphous Materials, and Methods for Making and Using the Same

Abstract

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A light reflective composition, the composition comprising a highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous material. 
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the material comprises a microcrystalline carbonate component. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the microcrystalline carbonate component has a crystal size ranging from 0 or X-ray Amorphous to 100μ. 
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 19 , wherein the microcrystalline carbonate component comprises at least one of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. 
     
     
         22 . The composition according to  claim 21 , wherein the microcrystalline component comprises both a calcium carbonate and a magnesium carbonate. 
     
     
         23 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the microcrystalline component comprises a clay mineral. 
     
     
         24 . The composition according to  claim 23 , wherein the clay mineral comprises kaolinite. 
     
     
         25 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the material is a CO 2  sequestering material. 
     
     
         26 . The composition according to  claim 25 , wherein the CO 2  sequestering material is prepared by:
 contacting a CO 2  containing gas with an aqueous medium under conditions sufficient to produce a bicarbonate rich product; and   precipitating a carbonate mineral from the bicarbonate rich product.   
     
     
         27 . The composition according to  claim 26 , wherein the bicarbonate rich product comprises droplets of a liquid condensed phase (LCP) in a bulk liquid. 
     
     
         28 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the material has a near infra-red (NIR) reflectance ranging from 50 to 99%. 
     
     
         29 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the material has a ultra-violet (UV) reflectance ranging from 50 to 99%. 
     
     
         30 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the material has a visible light reflectance ranging from 50 to 99%. 
     
     
         31 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more pigments. 
     
     
         32 . The composition according to  claim 29 , wherein the pigments are cool pigments. 
     
     
         33 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the composition is a solid. 
     
     
         34 . The composition according to  claim 33 , wherein the microcrystalline material is in a granular form. 
     
     
         35 . The composition according to  claim 34 , wherein the composition further comprises a solid support, wherein the microcrystalline material is present on a surface of the solid support. 
     
     
         36 . The composition according to  claim 35 , wherein the composition is configured as a building material. 
     
     
         37 . The composition according to  claim 36 , wherein the building material is roofing material. 
     
     
         38 . The composition according to  claim 33 , wherein the composition is a dry powder. 
     
     
         39 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the composition is a liquid. 
     
     
         40 . The composition according to  claim 39 , wherein the composition is a paint. 
     
     
         41 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the composition comprises a photovoltaic element. 
     
     
         42 . The composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the composition is a cementitious composition.