Study of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) & Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Composite Film Modified Using Silica and Polybutylene Terephthalate(PBT) As a Transparent, Hydrophobic, Self-Cleaning Cover

Abstract

Solar panel soiling is a major barrier in electricity generation by solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) technology, especially in dust-prone cities like Kathmandu. Currently employed techniques use expensive cleaning bots, short-lived coatings or environmentally non-friendly coatings. This paper encompasses a study of a green alternative to counteract solar panel soiling. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) blended with Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) with surface modification by Poly butylene terephthalate (PBT) and powdered silica was used to produce a transparent, hydrophobic film which could act as a self-cleaning cover for soiling prone solar panels. The film exhibited an average transmittance of 92.18% of the incident light in the solar PV working spectra (420nm-700nm). Hydrophobicity was quantified by the water contact angle (WCA) which was an average of 87.25°. The film was durable to photocatalytic and hydrolytic decay but further research is warranted before rendering the film suitable for use as a protective cover for solar panels.