Correlation of micro and nano-scale defects with WVTR for aluminium oxide barrier coatings for flexible photovoltaic modules

Blunt, Liam; Elrawemi, Mohamed; Fleming, Leigh; Sweeney, F.

doi:10.1504/ijptech.2013.057055

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…(5) and (6) for the given sets of parameters and variables for each sample, as shown in Appendix A(1), and substituting all the known data (sample area, sample thickness, number of defects, diffusion coefficient, water vapour concentration and the accumulative area of the defects) into Eq. (6), the theoretical model based on the approach of Da Silva Sobrinho et al [11] led to results which are similar to those obtained by surface topography analysis [36,37] and experimental WVTR test results. Calculations are shown in Appendix A(1).…”

Section: Wvtr Analysis and Results Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Modelling water vapour permeability through atomic layer deposition coated photovoltaic barrier defects

Elrawemi¹,

Blunt²,

Fleming³

et al. 2014

Thin Solid Films

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Transparent barrier films such as Al 2 O 3 used for prevention of oxygen and/or water vapour permeation are the subject of increasing research interest when used for the encapsulation of flexible photovoltaic modules. However, the existence of micro-scale defects in the barrier surface topography has been shown to have the potential to facilitate water vapour ingress, thereby reducing cell efficiency and causing internal electrical shorts. Previous work has shown that small defects (≤3 μm lateral dimension) were less significant in determining water vapour ingress. In contrast, larger defects (≥3 μm lateral dimension) seem to be more detrimental to the barrier functionality. Experimental results based on surface topography segmentation analysis and a model presented in this paper will be used to test the hypothesis that the major contributing defects to water vapour transmission rate are small numbers of large defects. The model highlighted in this study has the potential to be used for gaining a better understanding of photovoltaic module efficiency and performance.

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Section: Wvtr Analysis and Results Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Modelling water vapour permeability through atomic layer deposition coated photovoltaic barrier defects

Elrawemi¹,

Blunt²,

Fleming³

et al. 2014

Thin Solid Films

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“…The WVTR of a barrier film can be much higher than the intrinsic WVTR of the barrier material when the barrier film has pinholes and macroscopic defects because such defects act as accelerated gas diffusion paths [5,9,45]. It was observed that few large defects contributed most of the permeation [46]. To investigate the effect of 2LG on barrier property under tensile deformation, WVTR measurements were performed on Al 2 O 3 /PI and Al 2 O 3 /2LG/PI after the tensile tests, up to a tensile strain of 3%.…”

Section: Wvtr Measurements After Tensile Deformationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene-based stretchable and transparent moisture barrier

et al. 2018

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We propose an alumina-deposited double-layer graphene (2LG) as a transparent, scalable, and stretchable barrier against moisture; this barrier is indispensable for foldable or stretchable organic displays and electronics. Both the barrier property and stretchability were significantly enhanced through the introduction of 2LG between alumina and a polymeric substrate. 2LG with negligible polymeric residues was coated on the polymeric substrate via a scalable dry transfer method in a roll-to-roll manner; an alumina layer was deposited on the graphene via atomic layer deposition. The effect of the graphene layer on crack generation in the alumina layer was systematically studied under external strain using an in situ micro-tensile tester, and correlations between the deformation-induced defects and water vapor transmission rate were quantitatively analyzed. The enhanced stretchability of alumina-deposited 2LG originated from the interlayer sliding between the graphene layers, which resulted in the crack density of the alumina layer being reduced under external strain.

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“…The relationship between the surface morphology, defect density, and water vapor permeability through 40 nm Al 2 O 3 barrier coatings produced using ALD [3] on 125-μm polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates has to date only been studied in a laboratory [4,5]. However, detecting defects off-line is difficult and time consuming.…”

Section: Challenges In Defect Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, segmentation analysis results [5,13] appear to indicate that the major contributing factor for determining the WVTR is the total number of larger defects, where a sample with a higher density of defects of greater than 3 μm in lateral dimension and a 3 × Sq vertical dimension exhibits inferior barrier properties. These criteria are considered to be the basis for developing the segmentation "toolbox" shown in Fig.…”

Section: Wsi Data Handling Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of in Process Surface Metrology for R2R Flexible PV Barrier Films

Elrawemi

Blunt²,

Muhamedsalih³

et al. 2015

Int. J. Automation Technol.

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Thin functional barrier layers of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that are used particularly in photovoltaic (PV) modules to prevent the possibility of water vapor ingress should be applied over the entire PV surface without any defects. However, for barrier layer thicknesses within the sub-micrometer range (up to 50 nm) produced through the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, it is common for defects to occur during the production process. To avoid defective barriers from being incorporated in the final PV unit, defects need to be detected during the barrier production process.In this paper, the implementation of in process inspection system capable of detecting surface defects such as pinholes, scratches, or particles down to a lateral size of 3 µm and a vertical resolution of 10 nm over a 500 mm barrier width is presented. The system has a built-in environmental vibration compensation capability, and can monitor ALD-coated films manufactured using roll-to-roll (R2R) techniques. Ultimately, with the aid of this in process measurement system, it should be possible to monitor the coating surface process of large-area substrates, and if necessary, carry out remedial work on the process parameters.

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Correlation of micro and nano-scale defects with WVTR for aluminium oxide barrier coatings for flexible photovoltaic modules

Cited by 5 publications

References 10 publications

Modelling water vapour permeability through atomic layer deposition coated photovoltaic barrier defects

Modelling water vapour permeability through atomic layer deposition coated photovoltaic barrier defects

Graphene-based stretchable and transparent moisture barrier

Implementation of in Process Surface Metrology for R2R Flexible PV Barrier Films

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