A Fluorine-Free Coating with Self-Healing Capacity That Balances Transparency, Self-Cleaning Property, Mechanical Durability, and Environmental Friendliness

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic cells urgently require transparent antifouling coating to ensure the stable operation of photovoltaic modules. However, the self-cleaning property, environmental friendliness, transparency, and mechanical durability are mutually exclusive. We prepared a waxed fluorine-free superlubricating coating (SLC) with ultrahigh transparency (97.5%), mechanical durability, and self-healing capacity by introducing waxes. Carnauba provides hydrophobicity and thermal stability, and the microcrystalline wax provides lubricity. Through a cross-linking reaction, a dense network was formed to enhance the stability and interface adhesion. When applied to solar photovoltaic cells, rain or snow would destroy the lubricant property, but once exposed to sunshine, the superlubricating capacity would be restored. After pollution and self-cleaning washing, the voltage and power losses of the solar photovoltaic cells with SLC were only 0.94% and 0.94%. The output power loss of the fan activated by the solar photovoltaic cells was 0.64%. Importantly, the coating could be prepared environmentally without any VOC emissions. The SLC is expected to be used for antifouling protection of photovoltaic cells in ensuring the power generation capacity due to the low cost and scale preparation.