Transparent titania coatings have self-cleaning and anti-reflection properties (AR) that are of great importance in solar energy area to minimize soiling effect on photovoltaic modules. In this work, three TiO2 nanocolloids prepared via polyol reduction method with an average particle sizes of (1.0 - 3.3) nm were used as coatings for borosilicate glass plates. The coating method was performed via adsorptive self-assembly process developed recently due to its simple application and low energy consumption. The average coating film thickness for the best sample was 76.2 nm, however, the least efficient coating film thickness was 64.7 nm. The coatings show enhanced anti-reflection (AR) properties which were studied with transmission spectra collected at normal incidence. Moreover, self-cleaning properties were investigated by water contact angle measurements, optical microscope and UV-vis spectra of the TiO2 film surfaces after soiling in the field for 7 days. The as-prepared film with good optical characteristics showed transmission loss of &lt; 7 % compared to bare clean glass. The improved self-cleaning properties of the coatings were related to the high photocatalytic activity of the well dispersed small TiO2 nanoparticles and the good adhesion of the coating to the surface of the substrate.

Efficient TiO2 thin films prepared via adsorptive self-assembly for photovoltaic self-cleaning and anti-soiling applications

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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