Synthesis of nano-TiO2 coating systems for solar cell

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to implement coating system by varying the amount of nano-sized titanium dioxide, (nano-TiO2) combined with various organic binders and to study the coating effects on the performance of solar cell in terms of temperature and efficiency. Design/methodology/approach Nano-TiO2 coatings are developed in two types of binder networks; the combination of methyltrimethoxy silane (MTMS) and nitric acid and the combination of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) and MTMS. Overall, the formulations method was cost-effective, produces good transparency, clear and managed to dry at room temperature. The coating mixtures were applied onto the glass substrate by using the dip-coating method and the coated substrate were sent for several characterizations. Findings This study demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticle coating in APTES/MTMS matrix showed a thermal-decreasing result on solar cells, where the cell temperature is reduced to 46.81°C (T2 coating type) from 55.74°C (without coating) after 1-h exposure under 1,000 W/m2 irradiance in a solar simulator. Contrary to prior works where solar cell coatings were reported to reduce the cell temperature at the expense of the cell efficiency, the results from this study reported an improved fill factor (FF) of solar cells. From the photovoltaic (PV) characteristics study, the FF for solar cells is increased by approximately 0.2, i.e. 33.3 per cent, for all coatings compared to the non-coated cell. Research limitations/implications Findings will be able to contribute in the development of temperature-reducing and efficiency-enhancing coating for PV panels. Practical implications A simple dip-coating method provides an even distribution of TiO2 nanoparticle coating on the glass panel, which is cost-effective and time-efficient to reduce the temperature of solar cell while maintaining its efficiency. Originality/value The ability of nano-TiO2 coatings with a simple fabrication method and the right solution to reduce the surface temperature of solar cells while improving the FF of the cells.