Superhydrophobic route of fabricating antireflective, self-cleaning, and durable coatings for solar cell applications

The multifaceted applications of superhydrophobic surfaces arising out of their unique surface architecture have gained significant attention in the solar photovoltaic industry as it addresses the challenges in light conversion efficiency at an industrial scale due to the soiling of surfaces. Inspired by the self-cleaning properties of the lotus leaf, this review proposes the use of superhydrophobic surfaces as an effective solution for soiling mitigation in solar cell applications. The review examines various factors influencing dust settlement and evaluates existing soiling mitigation techniques. As most literature reports the insufficiency of theoretical wetting models with the controversies around its assumptions, the importance of modified models over the theoretical models is compared and highlighted. The foundations of superhydrophobic coatings including transmittance, porosity, and refractive index of coatings, thickness and surface roughness in addition to the commonly reported surface tension and surface free energy aid to focus on feasible fabrication techniques and provide improved efficiency of solar cells. Finally, the review presents a classification of durability tests to highlight the importance of durable coatings bridging the gap between the fabrication and application of superhydrophobic coatings for solar cells on an industrial scale.

Automated summary

This article discusses the various applications of superhydrophobic surfaces in the solar photovoltaic industry and proposes them as an effective solution for mitigating soiling in solar cell applications. The article examines the factors influencing dust settlement and evaluates existing techniques for reducing soiling. It also highlights the importance of modified models over theoretical models and discusses the fabrication techniques and durability of superhydrophobic coatings for solar cells.