Transparent hydrophobic, self-cleaning, anti-icing and anti-dust nano-structured silica based thin film on cover glass solar cell

Silica thin film with anti-reflective, hydrophobic and anti-icing properties was prepared on glass substrate by a sol-gel method. For this purpose, silica sol based on the TEOS and TMMS precursors were prepared. Then, different TCMS concentrations were added to the primary sol solution. Film deposition on glass substrate was performed by a dip coating method. Hydrophobicity, transparency, morphology and chemical analysis of the films were investigated. Icing tests were performed at a constant operating temperature of -12 °C. Also, the self-cleaning behavior of the samples was evaluated by iron oxide powders. The thin film stability under ultraviolet light irradiation was investigated. The results showed that with increasing TCMS, the transmittance of the glass coated substrate increased until 0.2 ml and then decreased. Also, the results of the water contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle increased with increasing the TCMS concentration until 0.33 ml (123°) and then with more increasing the TCMS concentration, it remained constant. Icing tests showed that the start time of the icing and the time required for complete icing on the thin layer of modified silica base with 0.2 mm TCMS is much longer than the uncoated glass. Also, the self-cleaning test showed that the glass coated sample has a self-cleaning behavior. After exposure to the ultraviolet light, the hydrophobicity and transparency of the glass coated sample did not disappear.