Improving photostability and efficiency of polymeric luminescent solar concentrators by PMMA/MgO nanohybrid coatings
MgO nanocrystals were synthesized and doped with different concentrations in poly(methylmethacrylate)
(PMMA) to prepare hybrid organic-inorganic coatings based on polymer nanohybrid thin films. The
nanoparticles were found to be spherical with 62 nm diameter as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD)
and atomic force microscope (AFM). The coatings were characterized by spectroscopic tools such as
15 optical absorption, transmission and fluorescence spectroscopy. The prepared nanohybrid films were
spin-coated on cost-effective luminescent PMMA substrates doped with highly efficient luminescent
dyes luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). The outdoor photostability tests demonstrated enhanced
protection against UVA radiation for coated LSCs compared to bare LSC substrates. The current–voltage
characteristics of commercially produced LSC prototypes showed that the poor UV response of mono-
20 crystalline silicon solar cell can be improved by for LSCs coated by PMMA/MgO nanohybrid films which
act as luminescent down shifting layer (LDSL).
