|
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
Analysis of the Damage Behavior and Mechanical Durability of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Coatings on Photovoltaic Panel Glass |
|
|
|
PP: 165-173 |
|
|
doi:10.18576/ijtfst/150203
|
|
|
|
Author(s) |
|
|
|
Ali Ooda Abd,
Anas Bouguecha,
Mohamed Haddar,
|
|
|
|
Abstract |
|
|
| In this study ZnO thin film (1 μm thickness) were prepared by hydrolysis and deposited by thermal spraying on glass substrates in this study. Erosive wear was evaluated at a constant velocity of 4 m/s for 30 min using a custom-built desert wind and sand erosion simulation system. The experimental design used impingement angles of 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° to map wear mechanisms. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-VIS spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The product was characterized by a fine crystalline structure with a sharper and stronger diffraction peaks with 15.91 nm of crystallite size and high transmittance in the optical spectrum reaching 86%. Relative erosion rate was continuously increased with the impact angle, from 0.00164 mg/g at 15° to 0.00220 mg/g at 60°. This is typical of brittle materials where the degradation process is dominated by the normal impact stresses that cause crack initiation, propagation and spallation. The present study concludes that the ZnO coating exhibited clearly brittle fracture mechanics under sand bombardment. These films are mechanically not stable under high angle impacts but still sufficiently transparent. These results provide basic engineering guidance for the maintenance and long-term operation of photovoltaic plants in erosive desert climates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
