Zeolite Crystals Embedded Nanotextured Coating with Hydrophobic Surface: An Innovation Toward Next Generation Solar Cover Glass for Efficient Light‐Harvesting

Abstract

the cover glasses. Therefore, the second generation was referred to the glasses with antirefl ective (AR) coatings. However, the normal AR coatings based on optical interference design (by controlling thickness and refractive index) are thin, possess low hardness, and fail to transmit sunlight with high percentage in the wide region of wavelength (400-2000 nm). [ 7,8,11 ] Furthermore, due to the comparatively smooth surface of conventional AR coating, the less favorable fl at angle radiations of sunlight cannot be captured as well as solar module suffers from the effi ciency loss by the overheating during constant exposure under sun. As an alternative to these AR coatings, millimeterscale textured cover glasses came into the market and being used at present as the third generation cover glass. Keeping in view the specifi c requirements of the optical performances, the structure of those millimeterscale textured cover glasses were found to be different with the variation of geometrical architecture of the patterns such as abrupt-shaped triangular form, smoothed-shaped sinusoidal form, grooves, direct pyramids, and inverse pyramids. [ 12,13 ] Except reduction of refl ection loss at the glass-air interface by light-trapping, [ 12,14 ] the third generation cover glasses have additional advantages of antidazzle and positive temperature effects. But fabrication of such textured cover glasses in large scale is time consuming, expensive, complicated process and needs a completely methodical controlled engineering or software based program. [ 13 ] Further, due to the extensive light scattering from such highly textured surface, this glass suffers from very poor visual transparency [ 15,16 ] to the normal human eyes which limits their additional outdoor applications. This millimeterscale textured surface also deteriorates further transparency due to easy deposition of dust particles. It is noteworthy here that the nanoscale architectures are promising to reduce light-refl ection with an enormous enlargement of the light-active surface area by lighttrapping and absorbing the maximum radiation of sunlight in solar cells. [1][2][3][4][5][6][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Therefore, fabrication of a nanoscale textured coating on any low iron borosilicate glass with suffi cient transparency, hardness, and hydrophobicity could fulfi ll all the requirements of an effective solar cover glass useful for multiple solar functions. Moreover, it is expected that such nanoscale surface structure on the glass with increased surface area will allow a large area for heat exchange to keep the temperature of A zeolite crystals embedded nanotextured hard coating with hydrophobic surface is fabricated on low iron borosilicate glass to enhance the effi ciency of photovoltaic systems through advance light-trapping. The surface roughness generated from embedding 3D nanocrystals enhances absorption of sunlight by reducing refl ection loss, and capturing maximum incident light to construct higher electricity and passive solar gain. Fur...

Antireflection Enhancement by Composite Nanoporous Zeolite 3A–Carbon Thin Film

“…For zeolite A, T–O–T vibration mode is registered close to 489 cm −1 [34]. Small amplitude peaks at 689 cm −1 and 558 cm −1 are related to the presence of four and six-member double rings of zeolite, respectively [35].…”

One-shot of the hydrothermal route for synthesis of zeolite LTA using kaolin

“…When NaOH concentrations of over 3 M are used, previous studies [74] have also shown the presence of hydroxy sodalite. With a decrease in degree crystallinity, higher alkalinity promotes the formation of impurities and the decomposition of zeolite [75].…”

Mesoporous silica-based abrasion resistant antireflective (AR)-cum-hydrophobic coatings on textured solar cover glasses by a spray coating technique

“…The generation of solar power as a renewable energy source is highly important in society for a variety of applications. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In the current scenario, the development of Si solar cells or photovoltaic cells that convert direct sunlight into electric energy is drawing increasing attention because it prevents environmental pollution. Solar cell modules are normally fabricated by sandwiching an Si solar cell between a back sheet and a cover glass (front sheet) and sealing them with a resin material.…”

“…As the cover glass is exposed to open air, dust particles may adhere to it, reducing its transparency and thus decreasing the conversion efficiency of the solar cell module. [1][2][3] To maintain the conversion efficiency of the solar cell at a desirable level, the cover glass must be coated with a protective, hard and hydrophobic layer with low reflective properties. The use of mesoporous silica with a relatively ordered pore structure as a coating layer has been proven to achieve better light conversion efficiency with easy cleaning and maintenance.…”

“…As the cover glass is exposed to open air, the dust particles may be adhered thereon reducing its transparency rendering decrease in conversion efficiency of the solar cell module. [1][2][3] To keep maintain the conversion efficiency of solar cell up to a desirable level, the cover glass needs to be coated with a protective, hard and hydrophobic layer with low reflective properties.…”