Nanocellulose infused with purple onion extract shields photo voltaic cells from UV degradation
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Mar 20, 2025
Researchers on the College of Turku in Finland have developed a bio-based movie that gives high-performance UV safety for photo voltaic cells, using nanocellulose handled with purple onion pores and skin extract. This marks the primary comparative examine of how varied bio-derived UV filters carry out over time.
Photo voltaic cells, prone to break from ultraviolet radiation, are usually shielded by petroleum-derived movies comparable to polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In an effort to scale back reliance on fossil fuels, researchers are exploring sustainable alternate options like nanocellulose, a cloth made by refining cellulose into nanoscale fibers that may be custom-made for UV blocking capabilities.
The examine, performed in collaboration with Aalto College in Finland and Wageningen College within the Netherlands, revealed that nanocellulose movies dyed with purple onion extract blocked 99.9% of UV rays as much as 400 nanometres. This efficiency surpassed that of economic PET-based filters, which served as a benchmark within the analysis.
“Nanocellulose movies handled with purple onion dye are a promising choice in purposes the place the protecting materials ought to be bio-based,” said Doctoral Researcher Rustem Nizamov from the College of Turku.
Researchers evaluated 4 kinds of nanocellulose movies enhanced with purple onion extract, lignin, or iron ions, all recognized for his or her UV-filtering properties. Amongst them, the movie incorporating purple onion extract demonstrated the best UV shielding.
Efficient UV safety have to be balanced with the power to transmit seen and near-infrared gentle, important for photo voltaic vitality conversion. Whereas supplies like lignin excel in UV absorption, their darkish hue hinders transparency. In distinction, the purple onion-based movie achieved over 80% gentle transmission at wavelengths between 650 and 1,100 nanometres, sustaining this stage over prolonged testing.
To simulate extended outside use, the movies had been uncovered to synthetic gentle for 1,000 hours, equating to roughly one yr of pure daylight in central Europe. Researchers tracked adjustments within the movies and photo voltaic cells by means of digital imaging.
“The examine emphasised the significance of long-term testing for UV filters, because the UV safety and light-weight transmittance of the opposite bio-based filters modified considerably over time. For instance, the movies handled with iron ions had good preliminary transmittance which decreased after growing old,” tells Nizamov.
Checks targeted on dye-sensitised photo voltaic cells, that are notably liable to UV-induced deterioration. The findings even have broader implications for different photo voltaic applied sciences like perovskite and natural photovoltaics, the place bio-based UV filters may play a vital function.
“These outcomes are additionally related for the UV safety of different kinds of photo voltaic cells, together with perovskite and natural photovoltaics, in addition to any utility the place using a bio-based UV filter is paramount,” Nizamov says.
Wanting forward, the researchers intention to create biodegradable photo voltaic cells that might function energy sources in purposes comparable to meals packaging sensors.
“The forest trade is eager about growing new high-grade merchandise. Within the area of electronics, these might also be elements for photo voltaic cells,” famous Kati Miettunen, Professor in Supplies Engineering.
The College of Turku’s Photo voltaic Power Supplies and Programs (SEMS) group is exploring methods to combine photo voltaic applied sciences into broader vitality methods.
This work was a part of the BioEST venture, supported by the Analysis Council of Finland.
Associated Hyperlinks
College of Turku
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