Fabrication of omnidirectional broadband dual-functional coating with high optical and self-cleaning properties for photovoltaic application. (1st November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biswas, Debarun; Chundi, Narendra; Atchuta, S.R.; Phani Kumar, K.K.; Shiva Prasad, Madiwala; Sakthivel, Shanmugasundaram
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 246(2022)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2022-11-01
• Subjects: Anti-reflective -- Self-cleaning -- Magnesium fluoride -- Titanium dioxide -- Dual-functional -- Photovoltaics; PV Photovoltaic -- Wt% Weight Percentage -- UV Ultraviolet -- XRD X-Ray Powder Diffraction -- SAED Selected Area Electron Diffraction -- HRTEM High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy -- MB Methylene Blue; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2022.09.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Successfully synthesised highly crystalline MgF2 and TiO2 nanoparticles are. 5 % enhancement in transmittance in the wavelength range of 380–1100 nm. The coating exhibited excellent omnidirectional antireflective property. >3.5 % net increment in the efficiency for dual functional coated glass compared to uncoated glass. Abstract: Escalating the transmitted irradiation, which diminishes due to the undesirable reflection at the interfaces and the surface dirt, requires a simultaneous functioning of antireflection and self-cleaning coating for photovoltaic modules. In this regard, an unprecedented, facile, economical, reproducible, and eco-friendly fabrication of dual-functional coatings (Anti-reflective and Self-cleaning) with high optical and photocatalytic properties is demonstrated. Highly crystalline MgF2 and TiO2 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method, and these nanoparticles are utilized to develop a dual-functional coating. HR-TEM and XRD are used to analyze the synthesized nanoparticles, and FE-SEM measures the coating morphology and thickness. The established dual-functional coating exhibits a 5 % enhancement in transmittance compared to uncoated glass in the 380–1100 nm wavelength range. The developed coating also shows high omnidirectional broadband antireflective property with 5–33 % net enhancement in the transmittance in the angle of incidence from 10 to 80°. The coating also exhibited good photocatalytic self-cleaning activity by degrading Methylene blue solution in 3 h with minimal loss in transmission. The bilayer dual-functional coating exhibited a net enhancement of 3.5 % in the power conversion efficiency for coated glass placed over a mini-module compared to uncoated glass positioned over a mini-module. This bilayer dual-functional coating offers enormous potential benefits and is highly conceivable for many applications.