Supplementary information file for: Artificial linear brush abrasion of coatings for photovoltaic module first-surfaces

Supplementary information file for: Artificial linear brush abrasion of coatings for photovoltaic module first-surfaces Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of anti-reflective and/or anti-soiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operational maintenance (cleaning). Artificial linear brush abrasion using Nylon 6/12 bristles was therefore examined to explore the durability of representative PV first-surfaces, i.e., the surface of a module incident to direct solar radiation. Specimens examined include silane surface functionalized-, roughened (etched)-, porous silica-coated-, fluoropolymer-coated-, and ceramic (TiO2 or ZrO2/SiO2/ZrO2/SiO2)-coated-glass, which are compared to monolithic-poly(methyl methacrylate) and -glass coupons. Characterization methods used in this study include: optical microscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) spectroscopy, sessile drop goniometry, white-light interferometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and depth-profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corresponding characteristics examined include: surface morphology, transmittance (i.e., optical performance), surface energy (water contact angle), surface roughness, scratch width and depth, and chemical composition, respectively. The study here was performed to determine coating failure modes; identify characterization methods that can detect nascent failures; compare the durability of popular contemporary coating materials; identify their corresponding damage characteristics; and compare slurry and dry-dust abrasion. This study will also aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.

本补充信息文件主题：光伏组件前表面涂层的人工线性刷磨试验
光伏（PV）组件的自然积灰及后续必要的清洁作业会导致其盖板玻璃产生磨蚀损伤。前盖板玻璃的耐用性具有重要的经济影响，其直接决定了防反射和/或防积灰涂层的选用，以及运维（清洁）的方式与频次。因此本研究采用尼龙6/12刷毛开展人工线性刷磨试验，以探究典型光伏前表面——即组件接收直接太阳辐射的表面——的耐用性。
本次试验涉及的试样包括硅烷表面改性玻璃、经粗糙化（刻蚀）处理的玻璃、多孔二氧化硅涂层玻璃、氟聚合物涂层玻璃，以及陶瓷（TiO₂或ZrO₂/SiO₂/ZrO₂/SiO₂）涂层玻璃，并将其与整体式聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（poly(methyl methacrylate)）试样及纯玻璃试样进行对比。
本研究采用的表征方法包括：光学显微镜、紫外-可见-近红外（UV-VIS-NIR）光谱法、静滴接触角测量法、白光干涉法、原子力显微镜（AFM）以及深度剖析X射线光电子能谱（XPS）。
本次测试的对应特性依次为：表面形貌、透光率（即光学性能）、表面能（水接触角）、表面粗糙度、划痕宽度与深度，以及化学成分。
本研究旨在明确涂层失效模式、甄别可检测初始失效的表征方法、对比当前主流涂层材料的耐用性、确定其对应的损伤特性，并对比磨料浆体与干尘磨蚀的差异。
本研究亦可为光伏行业磨蚀标准的制定提供参考。