Ethylene-Based Polymer Composition for UV-Resistant Solar Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polypropylene-based solar panels face issues with UV degradation, poor resistance to chlorinated water, and low temperature impact resistance, which affect their durability and performance, especially in desert environments with significant temperature gradients.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer with specific additives, including compounds from Formulas 1, 2, and 3, which provide enhanced UV resistance, improved low-temperature impact resistance, and increased weatherability, formulated to include a combination of ethylene-based polymer, antioxidants, and carbon black for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polypropylene is used for solar panels, then processability and price performance ratio are improved, but UV resistance and weatherability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polypropylene as the base polymer and combines it with specific additives including carbon black (1-3 wt%), hydrogen peroxide (0.5-2 wt%), and silane compounds (0.1-0.5 wt%) to create a composite material system. This composite approach allows the polypropylene to maintain its excellent processability while the additives provide UV absorption, radical scavenging, and crosslinking functions that significantly improve UV resistance and weatherability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If carbon black is added to polypropylene to screen UV, then UV absorption is improved, but polymer chain scission and free radical formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of carbon black-induced free radical formation into a beneficial effect by adding hydrogen peroxide and silane compounds. The hydrogen peroxide reacts with the free radicals generated by carbon black under UV exposure to form hydroxyl radicals, which then initiate silane crosslinking. This transforms the harmful free radicals into useful crosslinking agents, improving both UV resistance and mechanical strength simultaneously.
3Reliability
If antioxidant additives are added to polypropylene to improve chlorine resistance, then resistance to chlorinated water is improved, but low temperature ductility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-component composite system where polypropylene is combined with specific antioxidants (1-3 wt%), carbon black (1-3 wt%), and silane compounds (0.1-0.5 wt%). This composite approach allows the antioxidants to provide chlorine resistance while the silane compounds provide low-temperature ductility through crosslinking, thereby maintaining both properties simultaneously rather than having to compromise one for the other.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition significantly improves the UV resistance, low-temperature impact resistance, and weatherability of solar panels, extending their lifespan and efficiency in harsh conditions, as demonstrated by the slow crack growth resistance and effective water heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
with the use of the right type of carbon black, it may be possible to screen the UV, and turn it to heat, before causing polymer chain scission and free radical formation
Implementation Method 2
it has now been found that by incorporating a crosslinking catalyst and crosslinking promoter into the polymer composition, solar panels prepared from such compositions exhibit improved slow crack growth resistance, improved resistance to chlorine, and improved low temperature ductility
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention provides a panel comprising at least the following components: a) at least one hollow container; b) an inlet; c) an outlet; and wherein the inlet is connected to the end of the at least one hollow container; and the outlet is connected to an opposite end of the at least one hollow container; and wherein the at least one hollow container comprises at least one component formed from a composition comprising the following components: A) an ethylene-based polymer; B) a compound selected from Formula 1, as described herein; and C) a compound selected from Formula 2, as described herein; and wherein the weight ratio of Component C to Component B (C/B) is greater than, or equal to, 1.