REPLACEMENT OF ETHYLENE VINYL ACETATE (EVA) LAYER BY POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE COMPOSITES (PDMS) WITH ZINC OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES IN PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES.

• Grant number: 23/02371-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Camargo Cabrera
• Grantee: Muriel Ramos de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências (FEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rosana. Rosana , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project will be developed by Muriel Ramos de Oliveira at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rosana Campus - SP. This project includes concepts related to solar energy. The main objective is improving the performance and useful life of photovoltaic modules, avoiding degradation due to the aging process or delamination of the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) layers that protect (encapsulate) the solar cells. With the yellowing of the EVA layers, the degree of transmittance is compromised, reducing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Here, we propose to replace the EVA layers with a layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with the incorporation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. PDMS (silicone) can be deposited directly on the surface of the solar cells, presenting fast curing, transparence in the region of interest and chemical inert. ZnO nanostructures have the ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is responsible for cell degradation. Photovoltaic cells operate mainly with radiation in the visible region. In addition, ZnO nanostructures have bactericidal properties, make it possible to obtain superhydrophobic surfaces, which makes the self-cleaning process possible, and became able to emit radiation, through photoluminescence, in the active region of photovoltaic cells, which may increase energy conversion efficiency.