Optical Properties of EVA Films Including V570 for Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrator

Abstract

We fabricated a transparent luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) film using Lumogen F Violet 570 (V570) luminescent molecules and polyethylene-co-vinylaccetate (EVA) polymer. The transparent LSC was produced by a solution process (Doctor Blade coating) using a tetrahydrofuran solvent. We measured physical properties such as thickness, absorption efficiency, emission efficiency, and photocurrent characteristics of the LSC films. We also discuss the physical properties of the LSC films by observing the crystallinity and surface morphology using X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. During the formation of LSC films, V570 molecules did not induce macroscopic changes, but had a significant effect on nanoscale morphology, i.e., surface roughness. In addition, changes in the light scattering characteristics were observed when the V570 concentration increased, which was found by X-ray diffraction to be related to the formation of V570 crystals, not EVA crystals. The light scattering and surface roughness of a film could be improved through heat treatment. As a result, we obtained ~ 1.3 times larger photocurrent in thermally treated LSC films.

Experimental and Theoretical Evaluation of a Commercial Luminescent Dye for PVT Systems

“…A common material that is used for these LDS investigations is BASF's Lumogen F series of commercial dyes. These are perylene [38][39][40] and naphthalimides [41,42] structured dyes which provide good solubility in a range of polymers and fluids whilst also having a high quantum yield (85-90%) [38]. When the luminescent dye is dispersed in a solid layer, the thermal component is lost.…”