Application & Research

Preparation and application of nano SiO2/PDMS self-cleaning coating for photovoltaic modules

  • Sun Weilian ,
  • Liu Xin ,
  • Yuan Zizhou ,
  • Zhao Junchi ,
  • Wen Zhenji ,
  • Gao Feng ,
  • Zhang Hongwei ,
  • Shen Yongqian
Expand
  • 1. School of Materials Science & Engineering,State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals,Lanzhou University of Technology,Lanzhou 730050,China; 

    2. Shouhang Hi-Tech Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Jiuquan,Gansu 735000,China

Received date: 2026-03-04

  Revised date: 2026-07-13

  Accepted date: 2026-07-20

  Online published: 2026-08-01

Abstract

[Purpose]To address the reduction in photovoltaic conversion efficiency caused byoutdoor dust accumulation on photovoltaic(PV)modules.[Method]A nano-SiO2/PDMS coating was fabricated via dip coating using hydrophilic nano-SiO2 as the filler,1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane(PFDTES)as the surface modifier,and polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)as the polymer matrix. The effect of nano-SiO2 addition on the coating structure,hydrophobicity, translucency,mechanical properties,and weather resistance was studied,and the effect of the coating on the photoelectric properties of silicon cells was tested.[Results]The coating exhibited the best overall performance at a nano-SiO2 loading of 0. 5 g,achieving a water contact angle of 164. 8°,a sliding angle of 7°,and an optical transmittance of 68. 8%. It also demonstrated a certain degree of self-cleaning capability,although its surface hardness remained relatively low. The coating remainedsuperhydrophobic even after being continuously irradiated with ultraviolet light for 7 days or placed in ahigh-temperature and high-humidity environment for 70 hours. After soaking in an acidic or alkalinesolution for 3 hours,the water contact angle remained above 143° . When the optimized coating wasapplied to the surface of PV cover glass,the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the cell onlydecreased by 2. 18%,and there was no significant change in the core photovoltaic parameters.[Conclusion]The proposed coating can be prepared through a simple and cost-controllable processand combines superhydrophobicity,self-cleaning capability,and good weathering resistance. It hadexcellent compatibility with photovoltaic devices and could effectively solve the problem of outdoor dustself-cleaning of photovoltaic modules. It provided experimental basis and technical support for theresearch and industrial application of self-cleaning protective coatings for photovoltaic modules.

Cite this article

Sun Weilian , Liu Xin , Yuan Zizhou , Zhao Junchi , Wen Zhenji , Gao Feng , Zhang Hongwei , Shen Yongqian . Preparation and application of nano SiO2/PDMS self-cleaning coating for photovoltaic modules[J]. Paint & Coatings Industry, 2026 , 56(8) : 59 -65 . DOI: 10.12020/j.issn.0253-4312.2026-077

Outlines

/

〈 〉