Antireflective coatings by sol–gel processing: commercial products and future perspectives

Löbmann, Peer

doi:10.1007/s10971-017-4408-x

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Therefore, the coating thickness is not optically optimal. It has been shown that similar sol-gel coatings, 1/4 wavelength thick, reduce reflectance to < 0.5% [23]. The surface is mostly closed, but some defects that may make the coating susceptible to water damage are apparent.…”

Section: Sol-gel Anti-reflection Optical Performance and Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The performance and durability of single-layer sol-gel anti-reflection coatings applied to solar module cover glass

Womack

Isbilir

Lisco

et al. 2019

Surface and Coatings Technology

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A significant source of energy loss in photovoltaic (PV) modules is caused by reflection from the front cover glass surface. Reflection from the cover glass causes a loss of~4% at the air-glass interface. Only a single air-glass interface can be coated on crystalline silicon solar modules as an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) layer is inserted between the cover glass and the silicon absorber. A single-layer anti-reflection coating (ARC) on the outer surface of the cover glass is effective at reducing reflection losses over the wavelength range of most PV devices. The coating investigated in this work reduces the reflectance loss at the glass surface by 74%. However, the longterm durability of sol-gel coatings has not been established particularly for use in hot and humid climates. In this work, we investigate the damage resistance of a single-layer closed-surface hard coat ARC, deposited using solgel methods by applying a variety of accelerated weathering, scratch and abrasion test methods. The reflectance of the sol-gel ARC was measured and then the coating was put through a series of durability and environmental tests. The coating is resistant to damage from heating and can withstand temperatures higher than the phase change temperature of soda-lime glass. Scratch testing demonstrated that the sol-gel AR is relatively hard and difficult to remove from the substrate surface. Pull tests and cross-hatch testing also confirmed the strong adhesion of the coating. Weathering experiments show some degradation in weighted average reflectance, particularly an increase in reflectance of 0.6-0.9% after 1000 h of exposure to damp heat. Testing also showed a vulnerability to exposure to acid. These results indicate that the performance of this type of ARC could deteriorate and possibly delaminate in humid climate conditions The ARC had a low water contact angle, which means the coatings are hydrophilic and, therefore, hygroscopic increasing the risk of water damage over extended periods of time. This work shows that sol-gel anti-reflection coatings are currently unsuitable for use on PV and are unlikely to remain durable across the 25 year industry standard.

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Section: Sol-gel Anti-reflection Optical Performance and Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The performance and durability of single-layer sol-gel anti-reflection coatings applied to solar module cover glass

Womack

Isbilir

Lisco

et al. 2019

Surface and Coatings Technology

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“…Using this reaction cycle, a new reaction path way developed to upscale this one-pot reaction to a batch of 5 L. Through the addition of chloride additives (AlCl3, CaCl2, LaCl3, LiCl, MgCl2, SrCl2, SnCl2), the corresponding layers showed enhanced stability towards mechanical abrasion (steel wool 00, 25 cycles, 4 N) and improved durability against water [41]. A comparison of antireflective coatings of commercial products with the new MgF2 λ/4 coatings is reported in Reference [42]. The commercial AR products are SiO2 films from Centrosolar (Fürth, Germany), 3-layer interference-type AR coatings from Prinz Optics (Stromberg, Germany), and DSM coating solutions based on polymer templates (DSM, Heerlen, The Netherland).…”

Section: Magnesium Fluoridementioning

confidence: 99%

“…25 cycles), the MgF2 films showed only very few scratches. A comparison of antireflective coatings of commercial products with the new MgF 2 λ/4 coatings is reported in Reference [42]. The commercial AR products are SiO 2 films from Centrosolar (Fürth, Germany), 3-layer interference-type AR coatings from Prinz Optics (Stromberg, Germany), and DSM coating solutions based on polymer templates (DSM, Heerlen, The Netherland).…”

Section: Magnesium Fluoridementioning

confidence: 99%

“…25 cycles), the MgF 2 films showed only very few scratches. Reproduced from Reference [42] with the permission of the Royal Chemical Society.…”

Section: Magnesium Fluoridementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intensity weighted distribution shows two classes of particles with a mean particle size of 20 nm. Reproduced from Reference [42] with the permission of the Royal Chemical Society.…”

Section: Calcium Fluoridementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Fluorolytic Sol–Gel Synthesis of Nanometal Fluorides: Accessing New Materials for Optical Applications

Scheurell

Kemnitz

2018

Inorganics

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The potential of fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis for a wide variety of applications in the field of optical materials is reviewed. Based on the fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis of nanometal fluorides, sols of complex fluorometalates have become available that exhibit superior optical properties over known classical binary metal fluorides as, for instance, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, or strontium fluoride, respectively. The synthesis of transparent sols of magnesium fluoroaluminates of the general composition MgxAlFy, and fluoroperovskites, [K1−xNax]MgF3, is reported. Antireflective coatings fabricated from MgF2, CaF2, MgxAlFy, and [K1−xNax]MgF3 sols and their relevant properties are comprehensively described. Especially the heavier alkaline earth metal fluorides and the fluorperovskites crystallizing in a cubic crystal structure are excellent hosts for rare earth (RE) metals. Thus, the second chapter reflects the synthesis approach and the properties of luminescent systems based on RE-doped alkaline earth metal fluorides and [K1−xNax]MgF3 phases.

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Sol–Gel Deposition of Thin Films

Nagyal

Gupta

Singh

et al. 2019

Digital Encyclopedia of Applied Physics

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One of the most important applications of sol–gel processing is in the preparation of thin films. Thin‐film formation is possible due to deposition of alkoxide followed by exposure to moisture. There are various methods for thin‐film coating or deposition using sol–gel technique. However, the basic steps are almost similar, which include exhausting, excess deposit material processing, and then drying. The physical properties and microstructure of films (density, porosity etc.) are governed by the structure of the colloidal species in the dispersion. The criteria governing the deposition along with the methods of deposition and their applications are discussed in this article.

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Antireflective coatings by sol–gel processing: commercial products and future perspectives

Cited by 18 publications

References 10 publications

The performance and durability of single-layer sol-gel anti-reflection coatings applied to solar module cover glass

The performance and durability of single-layer sol-gel anti-reflection coatings applied to solar module cover glass

Fluorolytic Sol–Gel Synthesis of Nanometal Fluorides: Accessing New Materials for Optical Applications

Sol–Gel Deposition of Thin Films

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