Influence of Carbon Chain Length of Silicates on Visible Light Transmittance and Infrared Light Transmittance of Photovoltaic Glass

Abstract

To address Photovoltaic (PV) glass solar energy loss (reflection) and efficiency degradation induced by infrared light absorption (which causes increased battery temperature and thereby exacerbates carrier recombination), this study examines silicate precursors (Tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), Tetrabutoxysilane (TBOS)) with varying carbon chain lengths on coating performance. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)/Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization results show all coatings are amorphous, but TMOS yields higher crystallinity and denser microstructures; TEOS/TBOS form defective structures via longer chains. Optical tests indicate that all coatings have 90%-96% Visible Light (VL, 300-800 nm) transmittance (TMOS: up to 96%, with the least fluctuation); TMOS has the lowest infrared (IR, 2.5-25 μm) transmittance (~ 40%). In addition, TMOS coatings retain > 90% VL transmittance over 24 months, and TEOS and TBOS show shows ultra-low aging attenuation. These results demonstrate that TMOS is the optimal precursor for preparing high-performance PV glass coatings, which can effectively reduce solar energy loss and mitigate efficiency degradation of PV modules, providing technical support for the development of high-efficiency photovoltaic systems.