Transparent and smooth liquid-repellent coating for self-cleaning applications of solar cells

Abstract Solar energy as a clean, renewable energy source is perceived as a potential remedy to the environmental and climate degradation caused by fossil fuels. However, the surface contamination severely diminishes the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of solar cells. Liquid-repellent coatings that combine transparency and durability could be candidates for self-cleaning application of solar cells. Herein, a smooth liquid-repellent coating (SLRC) was developed by synergizing organosilicon and fluorine and was cured at room temperature. Owing to the low-surface-energy groups and flexible chains enriched on the SLRC surface, as well as cross-linking reactions and functional additives within the SLRC matrix, it exhibited liquid-repellency and UV-shielding properties. Moreover, SLRC could be applied to solar cells by spraying methods and displayed efficient self-cleaning properties. Finally, the adhesion strength and durability of SLRC were also verified, confirming that it had great potential for application in solar cells, opening the avenue for the development of self-cleaning coatings.