Sealant

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealant, in particular for sealing the edges of glass-glass photovoltaic modules, in particular perovskite or perovskite / silicon tandem photovoltaic modules. In order to create an edge composite which is as watertight as possible, a sealant is provided as part of the invention having a moisture absorption capacity which can be reduced by almost 50%, a breakthrough time which can be reduced by virtually 80%, and a water vapor diffusion rate at 85°C which can be reduced by approximately 20% relative to the commercially available sealant.

Description

[0001] Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] sealant

[0005] The invention relates to a sealant, in particular for edge sealing of glass-glass photovoltaic modules, especially perovskite or perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaic modules.

[0006] DE 19821 355 A1 describes a sealant for the production of multiple-pane insulating glass, which contains silane-modified butyl rubber and serves as a spacer between the glass panes of a multiple-pane insulating glass.

[0007] Hot melt adhesive compositions containing a mixture of at least one reactive binder based on silane-functional polyisobutylene, hydrogenated polybutadiene and / or poly-α-olefins and a non-reactive binder from the group consisting of butyl rubbers, poly-α-olefins, polybutenes, styrene block copolymers or diene polymers, which can be used as a 1- or 2-component adhesive / sealant for the manufacture of insulating glass units, are known from WO 97 / 48778 A1.

[0008] US 7,204,902 B2 describes a method for manufacturing insulating glass, wherein a sealant composition is applied to the surface of a spacer, the sealant composition is brought into contact with a glass plate, and pressure is applied to the glass plate at temperatures between 15 and 60°C to bond the glass plate to the spacer via the sealant composition.

[0009] US Patent 8,080,308 B2 discloses a moisture-curing sealant composition comprising silane-functional poly-α-olefin polymers, thermoplastic elastomer and an adhesion promoter.

[0010] US 8,372,909 B2 describes an edge seal for the production of double or multiple pane insulating glass or solar modules, comprising a primary sealant and a secondary sealant, wherein the primary sealant contains a polymer modified with specific reactive groups and is composed as follows: a) 30–60 wt.%, preferably 40–50 wt.%, olefinic polymers, Mn 400–600,000 Da,

[0011] b) preferably from 5,000 to 300,000 DaKömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0012] 2

[0013] c) 2 - 35 wt.%, preferably 5 - 25 wt.%, modified polymer,

[0014] d) 5 - 40 wt.%, preferably 10 to 30 wt.%, finely divided, inert fillers

[0015] e) 5 - 25 wt.%, preferably 10 to 15 wt.%, water-binding substances

[0016] f) 0 - 3 wt.% anti-aging agents, in particular antioxidants or UV protectants, and the secondary sealant is a silicone-based sealant.

[0017] US 9,115,272 B2 describes a sealing composition for use in double- or multi-pane insulating glass or solar modules, wherein the sealing composition contains:

[0018] a) an olefinic polymer with a number-average molecular weight of about 100 D to about 700,000 D, preferably of about 100 D to about 300,000 D;

[0019] b) a modified olefinic polymer;

[0020] c) a finely divided inert filler;

[0021] d) at least one of a desiccant and a water adsorber, and e) an aging retarder.

[0022] The sealing composition has a tensile strength of more than 20 PSI, preferably more than 50 PSI, an overlap shear strength of more than 20 PSI, preferably more than 40 PSI, and the tensile and overlap shear strengths are balanced such that the sealing compound fails cohesively before it fails adhesively.

[0023] US 10,968,371 B2 describes a moisture-curable hot-melt sealant composition comprising a silane-functional polyurethane free of isocyanate groups, a thermoplastic elastomer with a weight-average molecular weight of at least 100,000 grams per mole derived from 0 wt.% to not more than 30 wt.% styrene, based on the weight of the thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, styrene block copolymer and combinations thereof, and a first tackifier comprising from 0 wt.% to less than 15 wt.% styrene.-% aromaticity, based on the weight of the tackifier, wherein the first tackifier is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic tackifier, aromatically modified aliphatic tackifiers, cycloaliphatic tackifiers, aromatically modified cycloaliphatic tackifiers and combinations thereof, a liquid butene component selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, polyisobutene, polybutene and combinations thereof, and optionally a second rosin-based tackifier. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026.

[0024] 3

[0025] US 2022 / 0195263 A1 describes a system for producing a sealant composite from a primary sealant and a curable secondary sealant, the use of the system for the manufacture of insulating glass or solar modules, and an edge seal for the manufacture of insulating glass or solar modules, consisting of the sealant composite and an insulating glass unit consisting of at least two glass panes and the edge seal.

[0026] WO 2017 / 162839 A1 describes a two-component, moisture-curing organosiloxane composition that can be used as a sealant in insulation systems for building facades or the like and has low thermal conductivity. The two-part moisture-curing composition consists of part A and part B, where part A is either

[0027] 1) a siloxane polymer (I) with at least two terminal hydroxyl or hydrolyzable groups having a viscosity of 20000 to 40000 mPa·s at 25°C; or

[0028] 2) a mixture of polymer (i) and polymer (ii), wherein (i) is a siloxane polymer having at least two terminal hydroxyl or hydrolyzable groups and a viscosity of 25,000 mPa·s at 25°C and polymer (ii) is a siloxane polymer having at least two terminal hydroxyl or hydrolyzable groups and a viscosity of between 1,000 and 20,000 mPa·s at 25°C, together with a reinforcing filler and a low-density filler, wherein the total filler content is between 30 and 45 vol% of the total formulation;

[0029] and Part B comprises a moisture-curing formulation containing a suitable amount of a tin-based catalyst and one or more crosslinking agents.

[0030] CN 118440625 A describes a butyl sealant and a process for its manufacture, wherein the starting materials for the manufacture of the butyl sealant comprise the following components: butyl rubber, a polyisobutene composition, a silane-terminated polymer and a molecular sieve, and wherein the silane-terminated polymer is selected from one or a combination of several of the following: silane-modified polyolefin, silane-modified polyether and silane-modified polyisobutene.

[0031] CN 114752320 A describes a butyl rubber sealant with high moisture resistance and antibacterial properties, comprising the following components (by weight): 100 parts butyl rubber, 150-250 parts polyisobutylene, 100-150 parts functionalized, cross-linked, modified inorganic nanoparticles, 15-30 parts Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0032] 4

[0033] Calcium oxide, 60-80 parts sticky resin, 10-15 parts carbon black, 10-15 parts anti-aging agent and 20-30 parts plasticizer.

[0034] Solar cells based on crystalline silicon are the most important photovoltaic technology in the global industry, with a market share of over 90%.

[0035] One promising way to circumvent this efficiency limitation is the development of tandem solar cells based on a silicon bottom cell.

[0036] A tandem solar cell with two semiconductors with different band gaps can utilize the spectrum of sunlight more effectively. A monolithic perovskite-based solar cell as the top cell on a silicon-based bottom cell is a promising design. This combines the advantages of existing silicon wafer technology with those of perovskite-based solar cells.

[0037] The advantages of perovskite technology lie in

[0038] • the adaptable band gap and thus matching to the underlying silicon cell,

[0039] • the high adsorption coefficient and therefore low required layer thicknesses (approx. 500 nm),

[0040] • the large charge carrier diffusion lengths, high charge carrier mobilities and low recombination velocities,

[0041] • the fundamental possibility of separating perovskites cost-effectively.

[0042] Compared to silicon tandem solar cells, perovskite-based solar cells are very sensitive to environmental influences such as UV light, temperatures above 80°C, and humidity. This technology therefore presents entirely new challenges for both cell interconnection and module integration. Established processes and materials currently used for interconnecting and integrating standard silicon solar cells cannot simply be adopted. For cell interconnection, conductive bonding and low-temperature soldering are being pursued. Both approaches allow for a process temperature of less than 150°C and are thus technologically better suited for interconnecting perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells without simultaneously triggering temperature-induced degradation effects.

[0043] Lamination of photovoltaic modules in the configuration with front glass and Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0044] 5

[0045] The backsheet is produced according to the state of the art in a vacuum laminator with a membrane and plate. Typically, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is used as the encapsulation material above and below the cells in crystalline silicon solar cells; this material liquefies and cross-links in the laminator at temperatures above 140°C.

[0046] In glass-glass lamination and when using moisture-sensitive solar cells, non-crosslinking (thermoplastic) or crosslinking polyolefin (PO) is frequently used. Glass-glass lamination is typically carried out in two stages: the laminate is heated in a membrane-plate chamber and then pressed in a non-vacuum plate-plate chamber. A plane-parallel arrangement prevents so-called "edge pinching." An additional edge seal is sometimes used to minimize water ingress.

[0047] From WO 2024 / 097417 A1, silicon solar modules, perovskite solar modules and tandem silicon-perovskite solar modules are known, each containing one or more transparent layers that can be cured by ultraviolet light. In some examples, the compound may be a resin or an acrylate-based composition.

[0048] In order to create a largely waterproof photovoltaic module in combination with low-temperature lamination processes that are competitive in terms of process speed and deliver convincing results in terms of long-term stability, it is also necessary to develop the best possible waterproof edge seal.

[0049] The object of the invention is to create such a virtually watertight edge seal.

[0050] According to the present invention, this problem is solved in a sealant according to the preamble by the fact that the sealant

[0051] a) 4 to 15 wt% high molecular weight polyisobutylene or isoprene-isobutylene copolymer (butyl rubber) with an average molar mass of 175,000 to 4,000,000, b) 20 to 55 wt% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of 30,000 to 95,000,

[0052] c) 2 to 12 wt% silanized reactive polymer, selected from the group consisting of silanized polyolefins, silanized styrene block copolymers and silanized hydrocarbon resins, Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0053] 6

[0054] d) 0 to 8 wt% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of less than 7,000,

[0055] e) 0.5 to 8 wt.% liquid polyisoprene,

[0056] f) 12 to 25% by weight desiccant,

[0057] g) 10 to 22 wt% oxidatively treated carbon black,

[0058] h) 1 to 30 wt.% talc

[0059] contains.

[0060] It has surprisingly been shown within the scope of the invention that with such a composition the moisture absorption capacity can be reduced by up to 45%, the breakthrough time by almost 75% and the water vapor diffusion rate at 85°C by approximately 20% compared to sealants available on the market, the composition of which is known from US 9,115,272 B2.

[0061] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the sealant

[0062] a) 7 to 12, preferably 8 to 11 and particularly preferably 9 to 10 wt.% high molecular weight polyisobutylene or isoprene-isobutylene copolymer (butyl rubber) with an average molar mass of 175,000 to 4,000,000,

[0063] b) 25 to 50, preferably 30 to 45, particularly preferably 35 to 40 wt.% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of 30,000 to 95,000, c) 3 to 10, preferably 4 to 9 and particularly preferably 5 to 8 wt.% silanized reactive polymer, selected from the group consisting of silanized polyolefins, silanized styrene block copolymers and silanized hydrocarbon resins,

[0064] d) 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 5, particularly preferably 3 to 4 wt.% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of less than 7,000,

[0065] e) 1 to 6, preferably 1.5 to 4, particularly preferably 2 to 3 wt.% liquid polyisoprene,

[0066] f) 13 to 22, preferably 14 to 20, particularly preferably 15 to 19 wt.% desiccant,

[0067] g) 13 to 19, preferably 14 to 18, particularly preferably 15 to 17 wt.% oxidatively post-treated carbon black,

[0068] h) Contains 10 to 25, preferably 20 to 23, particularly preferably 21 to 22 wt.% talc. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0069] 7

[0070] It has proven advantageous that the sealant contains 0.2 to 1.0, preferably 0.3 to 0.9, particularly preferably 0.4 to 0.8 and most preferably 0.5 to 0.7 wt.% antioxidant.

[0071] Another embodiment of the invention consists in the sealant containing 0.2 to 1.0, preferably 0.3 to 0.9, particularly preferably 0.4 to 0.8 and most preferably 0.5 to 0.7 wt.% UV protection.

[0072] The invention also includes the use of the sealant according to the invention for edge sealing of photovoltaic modules, preferably glass-glass photovoltaic modules, particularly preferably perovskite or perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaic modules, traditional thin-film modules such as cadmium telluride, amorphous silicon, copper indium selenide, copper indium gallium selenide, thin-film perovskite tandem, silicon heterojunction / silicon heterojunction intrinsic thin-film, integrated back-contact silicon modules and combinations thereof.

[0073] The sealant can be produced using known methods by mixing the components until homogeneity is achieved under high shear and, if necessary, under vacuum or protective gas. Heating or cooling may be required during the mixing process.

[0074] The mean molar mass Mn of high molecular weight, medium molecular weight and low molecular weight polyisobutylene is determined by gel permeation chromatography.

[0075] Suitable high-molecular-weight polyisobutylenes include, for example, Oppanol N 50, Oppanol N 50 SF, Oppanol N 80, Oppanol N 100, Oppanol N 150 (all BASF Ludwigshafen), Cenway HB-50, Cenway HB-80 and Cenway HB 150 (all Cenway Advancing Synthesis, China).

[0076] Examples of suitable high-molecular-weight isoprene-isobutylene copolymers (butyl rubber) include: Cenway IIR-532 (Cenway Advancing Synthesis, China), X_Butyl® RB 301, X_Butyl® RB 100, X_Butyl® RB 402 (all Arlanxeo Performance Elastomers, Canada), Exxon Butyl 065, 065S, 068S, 268, 268S, 365, 365S (all Exxon Mobile Corporation, USA).

[0077] The high-molecular-weight polyisobutylenes or isoprene-isobutylene copolymers (butyl rubber) can be used individually or in mixtures. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0078] 8

[0079] Suitable medium-molecular-weight polyisobutylenes include, for example, the following: Oppanol B 10 N, Oppanol B 10 SFN, Oppanol B11 SFN, Oppanol B 12 N, Oppanol B 12 SFN, Oppanol B 13 SFN, Oppanol B15 N, Oppanol B15 SFN, Oppanol B 14 N, Oppanol B 14 SFN (all BASF Ludwigshafen), Tetrax / Himol 3T, Tetrax / Himol 4T, Tetrax / Himol 5T, Tetrax / Himol 5.5 T, Tetrax / Himol 6T (all ENEOS, Japan), HRD 350, HRD 400, HRD 450, HARD 500, HRD 550, HARD 600, HRD 650, HRD 700, HRD 750, HRD 800, HRD 850, HRD 900, HRD 959, (all Shandong Hongrui New Material Technology, Co., Ltd, China), Cenway MB-10, Cenway MB-12, Cenway MB-15 (all Advancing Synthesis, China), SDG-8351, SDG-8352, SDG-8353, SDG-8354, SDG-8355 or SDG-8356 (all Zhejiang Shunda New Material Co., Ltd., China).

[0080] The medium molecular weight polyisobutylenes can each be used alone or in the form of a mixture.

[0081] Suitable low molecular weight polyisobutylenes include, for example, Glissopal V190 to V1500 (all BASF Ludwigshafen), Indopol H-100, H-300, H-2100, H-6000, H-18000 (all Ineos, France), or PB 2400 (DL-Chemicals, Korea).

[0082] The low molecular weight polyisobutylenes can each be used alone or in the form of a mixture.

[0083] The liquid polyisoprene serves as a dispersion agent to disperse the carbon black in the hot melt adhesive.

[0084] Suitable liquid polyisoprene products include, for example, LIR-10, LIR-30, LIR-50, LIR-250 (all from Kuraray Co. Ltd., Japan), Isolene 40S, Isolene 400S, Kalene 800, Kalene 1300 (all from HB Fuller, USA). They have an average molar water content of 5,000 to 70,000.

[0085] The sealant may contain a silane-modified polymer. The silane-modified polymer may be a silane-modified olefin selected from the group consisting of silane-modified amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO), silane-modified olefin with single-site catalysis, and combinations thereof.

[0086] Useful silane-modified olefins are either completely amorphous or partially crystalline. In one embodiment, the enthalpy of fusion, which is determined by a Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0087] 9

[0088] When measured using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), the energy should not exceed 40 joules / gram or even 20 joules / gram.

[0089] The silane-modified olefin can have a melt viscosity at 190 °C which, when tested with a rotational viscometer according to DIN 53019, is not more than 20,000 mPa s, preferably not more than 15,000 mPa s, particularly preferably not more than 10,000 mPa, between 25 mPa s and 20,000 mPa s or even from 100 mPa s to 10,000 mPa s.

[0090] The silane-modified olefin can have a ring and ball softening point, as tested according to DIN EN 1427, of 70 °C to 140 °C, of ​​70 °C to 120 °C or even of 75 °C to 110 °C.

[0091] The sealant according to the invention can contain at least one silane-modified α-olefin. The term "α-olefin" refers to an alkene of the formula CnH2n (n corresponds to the number of carbon atoms) that has a carbon-carbon double bond at the first carbon atom (α-carbon). Examples of α-olefins are ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-methyl-1-propene (isobutylene), 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene. The term "poly-α-olefin" refers to homopolymers and copolymers obtained by polymerization or oligomerization of one or more α-olefins.

[0092] The α-olefin can be selected from the group consisting of propylene-based and ethylene-based olefins.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, the silane-modified olefin (A) comprises at least one, preferably at least two, alkoxysilyl groups of formula (I):

[0094] -Si(R1) p(OR2)3-p (I)

[0095] wherein:

[0096] R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein, if there are multiple R1 groups, these groups may be identical or different;

[0097] R2 represents a linear or branched alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein the R2 groups can be the same or different, and wherein two groups OR2 in the Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0098] 10

[0099] can be bound to the same ring;

[0100] p is an integer with a value of 0, 1 or 2, preferably 0 or 1.

[0101] Such alkoxysilyl groups containing poly-α-olefins are known to those skilled in the art and can be produced, for example, by grafting unsaturated silanes, such as vinyltrimethoxysilane, onto poly-α-olefins obtained by Ziegler-Natta-catalyzed polymerization or by polymerization at a single site (e.g., by metallocene-catalyzed polymerization).

[0102] Suitable alkoxysilyl group-modified olefins include silane-grafted homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of monomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, and higher α-olefins. Particularly suitable alkoxysilyl group-containing polyα-olefins include silane-grafted homopolymers of propylene, silane-grafted copolymers of propylene and ethylene, silane-grafted copolymers of propylene and 1-butene or other higher α-olefins, and silane-grafted terpolymers of ethylene, propylene, and 1-butene.

[0103] Preferably, the poly-α-olefin containing at least one alkoxysilyl group is a silange-grafted atactic poly-α-olefin, in particular a silange-grafted amorphous poly-α-olefin (APAO).

[0104] The silane-modified olefin can have a silicon content, as tested by KAA 04-3080, of 0.2 to 5 wt.%, of 0.3 to 4 wt.% or even of 0.3 to 3 wt.%.

[0105] Suitable silanized polyolefins include, for example, Vestoplast 206 (Evonik Industries, Germany) or Licocene PP Sl 1462 (Clariant Plastics & Coatings GmbH, Germany).

[0106] The desiccant (or drying agent) is a water-binding filler. The desiccant serves to keep the interior of the unit (e.g., insulating glass unit, photovoltaic module) dry. The desiccant is particularly limited in its application and can be a chemical or physical desiccant. The desiccant can be selected from the group consisting of clay, silica gel, magnesium sulfate, calcium oxide, calcium chloride, molecular sieves (or zeolites), e.g., aluminosilicate, etc., and combinations thereof. Zeolites with defined aperture diameters are preferred, in particular molecular sieves of type 3A to type 10A. In the case of calcium oxide, Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0107] 11

[0108] Micronized desiccants are particularly suitable, containing at least 95 wt.% active calcium oxide, preferably 97 wt.%, and exhibiting a very fine particle size distribution (d50 <= 4.0 pm, sieve residue 45 pm <= 0.3%).

[0109] Suitable drying agents include, for example, the following: Siliporite NK 30 AP (Arkema), Purmol 3ST (Zeochem), Sylosieve a§, A4, K360 (Grace, Worms), Innovox FG (Birch Chemicals, UK), Nekafin 0 (Kalkfabrik Netstal AG, Switzerland), Inlime Micronized CaO UF (EuroMinerals, Spain), Caloxol PG, Caloxol CP2, (both Omya International AG, Switzerland), or Kezadol PCI (Kettlitz-Chemie, Germany).

[0110] The oxidatively treated carbon black can have a primary particle size between 15 and 65 nanometers. The carbon black can have a BET surface area of ​​45 m² according to ASTM D6556. 2 / g up to 450 m 2 / g, from 65 m 2 / g up to 300 m 2 / g, from 75 m 2 / g up to 200 m 2 / g or even from 95 m 2 / g up to 150 m 2 / g. The soot can have an oil absorption coefficient of 45 cm⁻¹ for the compressed sample according to ASTM D3493. 3 / 100g up to 450 cm 3 / 100g, from 75 cm 3 / 100g up to 200 cm 3 / 100g or even from 85 cm 3 / 100g up to 125 cm 3 / 100g.

[0111] Examples of suitable carbon blacks treated with oxidation include: Nerox 2500, Nerox 3500 (both Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH, Germany), Mogul E (Cabot, USA).

[0112] Talc here refers to extremely fine types of talc, which have a very small average grain size (D50 <= 2.1 pm) and a high BET surface area (>= 19 m²). 2 / g) associated with a high aspect ratio and pronounced lamellarity (>= 2.8).

[0113] For example, the following are suitable: Luzenac HAR® T84, Luzenac HAR® T77, (both Imerys Tale Luzenac, France), Ultratalc 609 (Keyser & Mackay), MinTalc 92-03HP (Global Minerals Technologies SL, Spain), Zetatalc EW10 (WTH, Walter Thieme Handel GmbH, Germany).

[0114] The following are preferably suitable as antioxidants: Irganox 1010 or Irganox 1076 (both BASF Switzerland AG).

[0115] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the UV protection is selected from the group consisting of antioxidants of the type of sterically hindered phenols, thioethers, or high-molecular-weight mercapto compounds, UV protection agents of the type of benzotriazoles, benzophenones, or of the type of HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers). It may prove advantageous to add known ozone protection agents; in exceptional cases, the addition of hydrolysis protection agents may also be necessary. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0116] 12

[0117] become.

[0118] The following are preferably suitable as UV protection: Tinuvin 622, 928, 470, 123 or Tinuvin 152, Chimasorb 81, (all BASF Switzerland AG).

[0119] The sealant optionally contains further additives, such as antioxidants, catalysts, UV stabilizers (e.g., hindered amine light stabilizers), UV absorbers, adhesion promoters, tackifiers, additional polymers (styrene block copolymers, unmodified olefin polymers, etc.), plasticizers (e.g., non-phthalate plasticizers), heat stabilizers, optical brighteners, rheology modifiers, corrosion inhibitors, dehydrogenating agents, flame retardants, and combinations thereof.

[0120] Although it is preferred that the sealant be free of tackifying agents, it may contain limited amounts of tackifying agents. In this context, the sealant may contain 2 to 12, preferably 3 to 10, and particularly preferably 4 to 9 wt.% of tackifying agents. Examples of tackifying agents include...

[0121] Hydrocarbon resins are used. It is also possible to use silanized reactive hydrocarbon resins, similar to silanized polyolefins.

[0122] The sealant may contain additional polymers. Useful additional polymers are styrene block copolymers. Useful styrene block copolymers include, for example, triblock, multi-arm, and radial copolymers, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-isobutylene-styrene (SBBS), styrene-isoprene-butadiene-styrene (SIBS), styrene-ethylene / butene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS), styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBSS), and combinations thereof. The styrene block copolymer can be selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-isobutylene-styrene (SBBS), styrene-isoprene-butadiene-styrene (SIBS), styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS), styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS), styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene-styrene (SEBSS).

[0123] Hydrogenated styrene block copolymer is preferred. The styrene block copolymer can have a styrene content of 15 wt% to 30 wt%. The styrene block copolymer can be reactively modified, e.g., by grafting with silane or maleic anhydride.

[0124] The sealant may contain additional fillers. Useful additional fillers include, for example, pyrogenic silica, precipitated silica, aluminum silicates, and nanopowders. (Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026)

[0125] 13

[0126] Calcium carbonate and combinations thereof. Suitable fillers are commercially available under a variety of trade names, e.g., the MISTRON series of trade names from Imerys Tale America (Three Forks, Montana), including MISTRON VAPOR R microcrystalline talc.

[0127] To increase the crosslinking rate, a catalyst can be added to the composition. Useful catalysts include organotin compounds, such as dialkyltin dicarboxylates (e.g., dibutyltin dilaurate and dibutyltin diacetate or dioctyl versions thereof), tin carboxylates, tin salts of carboxylic acids (e.g., tin(II) octoate and tin(II) acetate), tetrabutyl dioleatodistannoxane, colorless organic titanium dioxides, organosilicon titanium dioxides, alkyl titanium dioxides, and metal alkoxides (e.g., aluminum isopropoxide and zirconium isopropoxide), as well as combinations thereof. The catalyst can be present in the composition in amounts ranging from 0 wt% to 2 wt%, 0.001 wt% to 2 wt%, 0.005 wt% to 1 wt%, or even 0.01 wt% to 0.5 wt%.

[0128] This sealant is suitable for bonding glass to various substrates, including other glass substrates, polymer substrates, metal substrates, and combinations thereof, and provides a moisture barrier for a wide range of applications and structures. It is particularly well-suited for structures such as insulating glass units, solar modules (e.g., PV and solar thermal modules), sash frames, automotive and molded part applications, windows, doors, walls, and structures requiring strong adhesion to glass, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

[0129] The sealant is particularly well-suited for bonding glass to various substrates, including its use as a primary sealant or as a thermoplastic spacer between two glass panes when forming an insulating glass unit. The insulating glass unit can be selected from the group consisting of double-glazed units, multiple-glazed units, and solar modules.

[0130] The insulating glass unit can consist of a first pane of glass, a second pane of glass, and

[0131] and the sealant according to the invention in contact with the first glass pane and the second glass pane.

[0132] The insulating glass unit can be used for windows (framed or frameless), conservatories, building glazing, roof glazing, glazing in land, water and air vehicles. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0133] 14

[0134] and can be used for solar modules. The insulating glass unit can be free of a mechanical spacer (e.g., metal or plastic), free of a secondary sealant, or free of both a mechanical spacer and a secondary sealant.

[0135] The sealant of this invention can be used in a method for manufacturing an insulating glass unit with two or more glass panes. The method comprises applying the sealant to the edge region of a first glass pane using a suitable device (e.g., an extruder), aligning a second glass pane over the first, and pressing the insulating glass unit to a predetermined thickness. In a second step, a second sealant can be applied to the joint formed between the glass panes and the hot melt material. The process can be repeated if additional panes are required.

[0136] The insulating glass unit can also be filled with a gas from the group of noble gases (e.g., argon, krypton, xenon, etc.), heavy gases (e.g., sulfur hexafluoride), and combinations thereof. These gases can help improve various properties of the insulating glass unit, such as further reducing thermal conductivity or improving sound insulation.

[0137] Photovoltaic modules utilize photovoltaic technology to capture the energy of sunlight and convert it directly into electricity. The compositions of this invention are particularly useful for moisture-sensitive photovoltaic technologies, including, but not limited to, perovskite or perovskite-silicon tandem modules, traditional thin-film modules (cadmium telluride, amorphous silicon, copper indium selenide, copper indium gallium selenide, perovskite tandem thin-film, silicon heterojunction / silicon heterojunction intrinsic thin-film, integrated back-contact silicon modules, and combinations thereof).

[0138] The sealant can be used as an edge sealant on a photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic module can, from top (sun-facing side) to bottom, comprise the following: a cover layer (front), an encapsulation material, a layer of photovoltaic cells in contact with the back, and a substrate (or back). Alternatively, a photovoltaic module can, from top (sun-facing side) to bottom, comprise the following: a cover layer (front), an encapsulation material, a layer of photovoltaic cells, an encapsulation material, and a substrate (back). Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0139] 15

[0140] The top layer can be made of glass. The backing film can be selected from the group consisting of glass and polymer film (e.g., multilayer polymer film).

[0141] The edge sealant is a material that seals the area between the face sheet and the backing board to create an additional barrier, preventing moisture from weakening the module's structure or damaging the cells. The edge sealant can be positioned between the face sheet and the backing board, applied to the edge of the face sheet and backing board to prevent moisture from penetrating the space, or a combination of these methods may be used.

[0142] The sealant of this invention can serve as this edge seal and is particularly suitable for the edge sealing of glass-glass photovoltaic modules, especially perovskite or perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaic modules.

[0143] The sealant can also be used for sealing or as a thermoplastic spacer for insulating glass, including specifically for applications in the field of SMART glass (e.g. electrochromic or thermochromic switchable glass or transparent PV modules based on Quantum Dot technology).

[0144] The sealant of this invention can be applied in any suitable manner.

[0145] The sealant can be used as a pre-applied adhesive tape. It can also be applied by extrusion. Application equipment from Glaston Corporation (Helsinki, Finland), Lisec Company GmbH (Austria), Balti (Switzerland), SM-Klebetechnik (Germany), Nordson (USA), Graco (USA), and Forel SPA (Italy) may be useful.

[0146] The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples. All parts, ratios, percentages, and quantities in the examples refer to weight unless otherwise stated.

[0147] Test procedure

[0148] The test procedures used in the examples include the following. All ratios and percentages refer to weight unless otherwise stated. Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0149] 16

[0150] Procedures are carried out at room temperature (i.e., at an ambient temperature of approximately 20°C to 25°C) unless otherwise specified. The sealants were produced by mixing the materials in a two-shaft sigma kneader at a temperature between 120°C and 160°C.

[0151] The measurement of the specific volume and surface resistance was carried out according to DIN IEC 93 / VDE 0303.

[0152] The density was tested according to EN ISO 2811-1.

[0153] The melt volumetric flow rate (MVR) was tested according to EN ISO 1133 under the following conditions: 10 kg, 130 °C, 2.16 mm nozzle.

[0154] Examples:

[0155] Example 1:

[0156] A sealant was produced containing the following components:

[0157] a) 8.34 wt% high molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass (Mn) of 175,000 to 4,000,000,

[0158] b) 30.58 wt% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with a mean molar water content of 30,000 to 95,000,

[0159] c) 0 wt% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with a mean molar water of less than 7,000,

[0160] d) 2.09 wt% liquid polyisoprene,

[0161] e) 6.95 wt% silanized polyolefin,

[0162] f) 13.9% w / w desiccant,

[0163] g) 16.68 wt% oxidatively treated carbon black,

[0164] h) 20.85 wt% talc,

[0165] i) 0.31 wt% antioxidant and

[0166] j) 0.31 wt% UV protection

[0167] Example 2:

[0168] A sealant was manufactured containing the following components: Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0169] 17

[0170] a) 8.40 wt% high molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of 175,000 to 4,000,000,

[0171] b) 28.00 wt% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with a mean molar water content of 30,000 to 95,000,

[0172] c) 2.1 wt% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with a mean molar water of less than 7,000,

[0173] d) 2.1 wt% liquid polyisoprene,

[0174] e) 7.00 wt.% silanized polyolefin,

[0175] f) 14.00 wt% desiccant,

[0176] g) 16.80 wt% oxidatively treated carbon black,

[0177] h) 21.00 wt% talc,

[0178] i) 0.31 wt% antioxidant and

[0179] j) 0.31 wt% UV protection

[0180] From the exemplary embodiments and a reference sealant (commercially available sealant), the Break Through Time (BTT) at 85°C / 100% rL and the Water Vapor Diffusion Rate (MVTR) at 85°C / 100% rL were determined using Mocon Permatran W3 / 34 based on 1 mm thick films according to ASTM F 1249.

[0181] In addition, all test approaches were characterized by density, MVI value (Melt Volume Index - melting viscosity) at 130°C, moisture absorption capacity Tc and electrical insulation properties by measuring the specific volume and surface resistance according to DIN IEC 93 / VDE 0303.

[0182] The results are shown in the table below: Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026

[0183] 18

[0184]

[0185] It is clearly evident that the sealant according to the exemplary embodiments is clearly superior to the prior art sealant with regard to moisture absorption capacity, water vapor diffusion rate, and breakthrough time. A moisture absorption capacity Tc of at least 4.0 wt.% and a specific electrical volume and surface resistance of at least 10 are achieved. 14 Ohmxcm, water vapor diffusion rates at 85°C / 100% rL of less than or equal to 7.0 g / m² 2 xd and at 38°C / 100% rl of less than or equal to 0.18 g / m³ 2 xd with a BTT at 85°C / 100%rL of greater than or equal to 90 hours is achieved.

Claims

Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026 19 REQUIREMENTS 1. Sealant, characterized in that the sealant a) 4 to 15 wt% high molecular weight polyisobutylene or isoprene-isobutylene copolymer (butyl rubber) with an average molar mass of 175,000 to 4,000,000, b) 20 to 55 wt% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of 30,000 to 95,000, c) 2 to 12 wt% silanized reactive polymer, selected from the group consisting of silanized polyolefins, silanized styrene block copolymers and silanized hydrocarbon resins, d) 0 to 8 wt% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of less than 7,000, e) 0.5 to 8 wt.% liquid polyisoprene, f) 12 to 25% by weight desiccant, g) 10 to 22 wt.% oxidatively treated carbon black and h) 1 to 30 wt.% talc contains.

2. Sealant according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealant comprises a) 7 to 12, preferably 8 to 11 and particularly preferably 9 to 10 wt.% high molecular weight polyisobutylene or isoprene-isobutylene copolymer (butyl rubber) with an average molar mass of 175,000 to 4,000,000, b) 25 to 50, preferably 30 to 45, particularly preferably 35 to 40 wt.% medium molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of 30,000 to 95,000, c) 3 to 10, preferably 4 to 9 and particularly preferably 5 to 8 wt.% silanized reactive polymer, selected from the group consisting of silanized polyolefins, silanized styrene block copolymers and silanized hydrocarbon resins, d) 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 5, particularly preferably 3 to 4 wt.% low molecular weight polyisobutylene with an average molar mass of less than 7,000, e) 1 to 6, preferably 1.5 to 4, particularly preferably 2 to 3 wt.% liquid polyisoprene, f) 13 to 22, preferably 14 to 20, particularly preferably 15 to 19 wt.% Kömmerling Chemische Fabrik GmbH 24041 -P-WO / 21.01.2026 20 Desiccant g) 13 to 19, preferably 14 to 18, particularly preferably 15 to 17 wt.% oxidatively post-treated carbon black, h) 10 to 25, preferably 20 to 23, particularly preferably 21 to 22 wt.% talc contains.

3. Sealant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealant contains 0.2 to 1.0, preferably 0.3 to 0.9, particularly preferably 0.4 to 0.8 and most preferably 0.5 to 0.7 wt.% antioxidant.

4. Sealant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sealant contains 0.2 to 1.0, preferably 0.3 to 0.9, particularly preferably 0.4 to 0.8 and most preferably 0.5 to 0.7 wt.% UV protection.

5. Use of the sealant according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for edge sealing of photovoltaic modules, preferably glass-glass photovoltaic modules, particularly preferably perovskite or perovskite-silicon tandem photovoltaic modules, traditional thin-film modules such as cadmium telluride, amorphous silicon, copper indium selenide, copper indium gallium selenide, perovskite tandem thin-film, silicon heterojunction / silicon heterojunction intrinsic thin-film, integrated back-contact silicon modules and combinations thereof.

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