Enhanced Water Vapor Blocking in Transparent Hybrid Polymer–Nanocrystal Films

Abstract

Highly transparent and effective encapsulating materials have become increasingly important for photovoltaic (PV) modules to prevent water vapor molecules from permeating PV cells. The composite consists of block copolymer (PS-b-P2VP), comprised of hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, and hygroscopic nanocrystals (Magnesium Oxide, MgO) incorporated to enhance water vapor blocking by both presenting obstacles for mass transport and also scavenging water molecules. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) values were reduced ∼3000 times, compared to homopolymer (PS), for both polymer and composite samples. Achieving both high transparency and low WVTR, it is expected that the composite materials can function as an excellent water vapor blocking layer for PV modules.

A Surlyn/magnesium oxide nanocomposite as an effective water vapor barrier for organic device encapsulation

“…The MgO nanoparticles incorporated in Surlyn matrix improved the water vapor barrier properties due to the higher diffusion path lengths and chemical reactivity to H 2 O molecules. 36 The least permeability is shown by Surlyn/UL-MgO followed by composites with CL-MgO, C-MgO and A-MgO ( Table 1). The reactivity of these nanoparticles depends on various factors such as surface area, defect sites, particle size and carbonaceous content.…”

“…The presence of MgO nanoparticles in the Surlyn matrix increases the diffusion path length and results in lower WVTR. Further, the water molecules permeating through the matrix are reactive to MgO, 36 which would further decrease the permeation rates. The reactivity of moisture on MgO depends on various factors such as the size of the particles, surface area, aspect ratio, defect sites and carbon content.…”

Water‐Resistant and Transparent Plastic Films from Functionalizable Organic Polymers: Coordination Polymers as Templates for Solid‐State [2+2]‐Photopolymerization

“…Generally, plastic films can be composed of a range of materials . Plastic films with a combination of properties such as gas permeability, transparency, gas capture ability, tensile strength, and eco friendliness serve unique purposes and show great utility . The polyethylene family accounts for more than 80 % of plastic films that are used in day‐to‐day activities.…”

“…[19] Plastic films with ac ombination of properties such as gas permeability,t ransparency,g as capture ability,t ensile strength,and eco friendliness serve unique purposes and show great utility. [20,21] The polyethylene family accountsf or more than 80 %o fp lastic films that are used in day-to-day activities. Several polyamide thin films are effective in applicationsf or the capture of CO 2 from industrial gases to prevent global warming.…”

Spray‐Assisted Coil–Globule Transition for Scalable Preparation of Water‐Resistant CsPbBr3@PMMA Perovskite Nanospheres with Application in Live Cell Imaging

“…Certain polymer matrices, such as polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), have been proven to provide sufficient protection to perovskites in aqueous media with the combined benefit of simple preparation procedures and ease of handling . The vast majorities of reported methods for encapsulating perovskites into polymer matrices are concerned with bulk or thin films that exhibit luminescence properties and enhanced stability . However, to produce more confined nanoscale polymer–perovskite composite particles is challenged by the inherent entangling of the high molecular weight polymer chains, resulting in larger than nanoscale particle sizes .…”