Adak, Deepanjana and Ghosh, Sugato and Chakraborty, Poulomi and Srivatsa, K. M. K. and Mondal, Anup and Saha, Hiranmay and Mukherjee, Rabibrata and Bhattacharyya, Raghunath (2018) Non lithographic block copolymer directed self-assembled and plasma treated self-cleaning transparent coating for photovoltaic modules and other solar energy devices. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 188. pp. 127-139. ISSN 0927-0248

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (3574Kb) | Request a copy

Abstract

Through a combination of sol-gel based self-assembly and plasma based approach we have developed highly transparent, self-ordered, superhydrophilic and photoactive TiO2 thin film coatings. TiO2 sol used for such coatings comprises a block copolymer which functions as a structure directing agent. This structure directing agent aid to formation of regular pores in the TiO2 thin film, thereby, remarkably reducing the refractive index values (similar to 1.31) and enhancing the transparency (4% antireflection gain) of the coatings. Further, such porous TiO2 coatings show an excellent ability to photo-decompose organic pollutants, due to the photocatalytic ability of such metal oxide semiconductor. Enhancement in the photocatalytic activity has been obtained by porous surface created using a block copolymer and shifting the band gap energy by incorporating nitrogen so as to utilize part of the visible region of the solar spectrum for photocatalysis. An optimum condition is achieved by varying the RF self-bias potential and time of plasma treatment. Nitrogen plasma treatment, in addition to enhancing the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is also found to enhance the mechanical stability and hydrophilicity, without hampering the optical transmission of coatings. Such coatings are also found to exhibit superhydrophilicity with water contact angle (WCA) < degrees 5 under optimized condition. Thus, the coatings developed, qualify as a suitable candidate to be applied on solar PV panel and other energy devices. Treatment with nitrogen plasma extends the photocatalytic activity towards visible region of the spectrum and also ensures the mechanical stability of the otherwise porous network.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to M/s Elsevier.
Subjects:	Energy Fuels Materials Science Applied Physics/Condensed Matter
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Mr. Yogesh Joshi
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2019 11:19
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2019 11:19
URI:	http://npl.csircentral.net/id/eprint/3995

Actions (login required)

View Item