Political Discourse

The project aims to develop novel, multifunctional composite thin films of MOx-rGO type with infrared shielding (IR-S), self-cleaning (SC) and antireflective (AR) properties to coat the glazing of photovoltaic (PV) modules for increasing their output.

O1. Design and development of the building blocks in the composite thin films.

O2. Development of the multifunctional composite thin films with anti-reflective, self-cleaning and infrared shielding properties.

O3. Testing and validation of the multifunctional composite thin films deposited on photovoltaic modules in simulated and in-field conditions.

O4. Management, dissemination and exploitation of the project’s outcomes

Summary

The project aims to develop novel, multifunctional composite thin films of MOx-rGO type with antireflective (AR), self-cleaning (SC) and infrared shielding (IR-S) properties to coat the glazing of photovoltaic (PV) modules for increasing their output. Composite thin film(s) with a minimum number of TiO₂-rGO, WO₃-rGO and/orTiO₂-rGO+WO₃-rGO layers will be developed, following the powders – stable dispersions – thin films route. Sol-gel TiO₂-rGO and WO₃-rGO powders will be obtained as building blocks (objective O1) for stable dispersions sprayed at room temperature on solar glass substrates (small-sized and relevantly-sized). Thin films will be optimized targeting functionality (specific key performance indicators related to the AR, SC and IR-S properties to be simultaneously met) and durability, under specific aging conditions (temperature, irradiance, humidity) (O2). To fully validate the materials and the technology, the novel composite thin films will be deposited on PV modules and will be tested and optimized in simulated and in-field conditions (O3). Simultaneously meeting the AR, SC and IR-S properties by a single composite thin film supports knowledge development through correlations that link the synthesis conditions and materials properties to their functional and durability properties. 

The project impact targets (O4) are: (1) the R&D community (project results published/submitted for publishing in top AIS50% journals – at least 2 – and in top AIS25% journals – at least 1, at least 3 presentations in relevant international conferences), (2) the stakeholders (at least 1 patent proposal), (3) the general public (the project website), (4) the project leader (developing research management skills, increasing international visibility, increasing chances to access research funding).