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Inherent UV-blocking capability of polyurethane prepared from vegetable oil for solar cell encapsulation

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Abstract

In the present study, vegetable castor oil was utilized to prepare cost-effective polyurethane for encapsulating solar cells. In addition to its affordability and straightforward preparation, polyurethane encapsulant demonstrated an inherent capability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UV-blocking). This polymer’s unique quality is valuable for shielding solar cells from damaging UV radiation without requiring extra UV-blocker substances. Additional UV-blockers can cause the encapsulant to turn yellow, diminishing light transmission to the cell and ultimately reducing the photogenerated current in the enclosed solar cell. Through the current work, the inherent UV-blocking capability of the polyurethane encapsulant was confirmed through both optical transmission measurement of the encapsulant and quantum efficiency measurement of the encapsulated solar cells. As the polyurethane thickness increased, optical transmission analyses revealed a successive increase in UV-blocking, while the transparency of the encapsulant material in the visible spectrum remained approximately 92%. The external and internal quantum efficiencies of the silicon solar cell were quenched within the wavelength range of 300–400 nm after encapsulation with different polyurethane compositions. However, an increase in polyurethane thickness resulted in a successive decrease in quantum efficiencies, exhibiting a behavior agreed with that observed in UV-blocking through polyurethane’s optical transmission. The quantum efficiencies measurements revealed that the applied temperature up to 150 °C did not change the UV-blocking capability of the polyurethane encapsulant. Through the current work, it can be affirmed that the affordable and readily available polyurethane is suitable for encapsulating solar cells in various conditions, including high temperatures (reaching up to 150 °C), low solar intensity (owing to its impressive transmission of up to 92%), and excessive UV radiation (thanks to its UV-blocking capability). Furthermore, the existing polyurethane encapsulant can be formulated and poured into solar cells with varying compositions. These compositions can span from a flexible form, which proves beneficial for flexible solar cell applications, to a rigid form that exhibits a glass-like structure. This encapsulation material eliminates the need for a glass cover sheet to protect the solar cells, eliminates the need for extra UV-blocker materials, and shields the solar cell against harmful UV radiation.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been financially supported by Deanship of Scientific Research in Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia [The Research Groups Grant (First Call): Number 945].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Madinah, 42351, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

    Yasser A. M. Ismail & Abdullah Almohammedi

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Madinah, 42351, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

    Tariq Z. Abolibda, Sobhi M. Gomha & Mohamed S. Ibrahim

  3. Department of Physics, Collage of Science and Arts, Jeddah University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    K. A. Aly

  4. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, 71121, Asyut, Egypt

    K. A. Aly

  5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613, Cairo, Egypt

    Hoda A. Ahmed

  6. Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, Taibah University, 30799, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

    Hoda A. Ahmed

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  1. Yasser A. M. Ismail
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Ismail, Y.A.M., Abolibda, T.Z., Almohammedi, A. et al. Inherent UV-blocking capability of polyurethane prepared from vegetable oil for solar cell encapsulation. J Mater Sci 59, 6446–6458 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09558-9

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