A Selective Review of Ceramic, Glass and Glass–Ceramic Protective Coatings: General Properties and Specific Characteristics for Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

A review on ceramics, glasses and glass–ceramics as thin film protective coatings for solar cells is given. The different preparation techniques and the physical and chemical properties are presented in a comparative way. This study is useful for technologies involving solar cells and solar panel cell development at the industrial scale, because protective coatings and encapsulation play a major role in increasing the lifetime of solar panels and environmental protection. The aim of this review article is to give a summary of existing ceramic, glass, and glass–ceramic protective coatings and how they apply to solar cell technology: silicon, organic or perovskite cells. Moreover, some of these ceramic, glass or glass–ceramic layers were found to have dual functionality, such as providing anti-reflectivity or scratch resistance to give a two-fold improvement to the lifetime and efficiency of the solar cell.

Facile preparation of a water-based antireflective SiO2 film with high transmittance for perovskite solar cells

“…Additionally, the increase in surface roughness results in reduced transmission according to Mie scattering theory. 33 Thus, the formation of larger SiO 2 aggregates (Fig. 2e and f) in the AR film contributes to larger pores and enhanced surface roughness, causing an increase in light scattering losses.…”

Efficacy of barium and calcium additives in lithium silicate glasses for nuclear shielding applications

“…Due to this feature, the idea that glass components can be utilized as radiation shielding material has come to the fore in recent years. Ceramics have improved thermal and mechanical properties through their high melting point [1]. Vitreous ceramics are a kind of glass and crystal compound with multiple phases embedded in the glass matrix, offering high strength, toughness, excellent corrosion resistance, and abrasion resistance.…”