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A sustainable preparation method of superhydrophobic polymer film for improving the practical efficiency of solar cells

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Listed:
  • Chen, Zhi
  • Lu, Shuang
  • Wei, Yumeng
  • Zhang, Zhizhong
  • Zhang, Guojun
  • Li, Jian
  • Han, Fenglin

Abstract

Due to some adverse environmental factors (such as: surface reflection, dust, snow and ice), the actual efficiency of solar cells is much lower than the maximum design efficiency. Constructing a self-cleaning and anti-icing superhydrophobic micro-nano structure on the surface of solar cells is a very promising method to reduce the impact of adverse environmental factors on their actual efficiency. Addressing the challenges of low preparation efficiency and difficulty in large-scale preparation in traditional methods for preparing superhydrophobic polymer films on solar cells surface, this paper proposes a new method of roll-to-roll micro-nano imprinting method for preparing superhydrophobic polymer film. Experimental data shows that: (1) The preparation efficiency of superhydrophobic polymer films can reach 150,720 mm2/min, which is 10–100 times higher than the preparation efficiency of traditional methods. (2) The contact angle of the polymer film can be up to 154°. (3) The polymer films have been proven to have the good capabilities of anti-icing and self-cleaning. (4) The transparency of polymer film can be up to 93.3 %. (5) The prepared polymer films can decrease the reducing of the output current of the solar cell due to dust accumulation from 9.28 % to 1.21 %.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Zhi & Lu, Shuang & Wei, Yumeng & Zhang, Zhizhong & Zhang, Guojun & Li, Jian & Han, Fenglin, 2025. "A sustainable preparation method of superhydrophobic polymer film for improving the practical efficiency of solar cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:246:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125006111
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.122949
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    1. Carmona, Mauricio & Palacio Bastos, Alberto & García, José Doria, 2021. "Experimental evaluation of a hybrid photovoltaic and thermal solar energy collector with integrated phase change material (PVT-PCM) in comparison with a traditional photovoltaic (PV) module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 680-696.
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