Oxidized low density polyethylene: A potential cost-effective, stable, and recyclable polymeric encapsulant for photovoltaic modules

Oxidized low density polyethylene (oxidized LDPE), with a density of 0.90 g/cm(3) and an oxidized acid number of 15 mg KOH/g, was used as an encapsulant for photovoltaic modules. The electrical stability and peel strength to glass/backsheet of oxidized LDPE encapsulated-modules after accelerated exposure tests were measured. The moisture transport of oxidized LDPE was measured by water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). Light transmittance and yellowness index of modules were determined by spectrocolorimeter and sepectrophotometer, respectively. Thermal properties of oxidized LDPE were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All measured results of oxidized LDPE-encapsulated modules were compared with EVA-encapsulated modules. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.