Nanocellulose infused with crimson 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 crimson onion pores and skin extract. This marks the primary comparative research of how varied bio-derived UV filters carry out over time.
Photo voltaic cells, inclined to wreck from ultraviolet radiation, are sometimes shielded by petroleum-derived movies resembling 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 personalized for UV blocking capabilities.
The research, carried out in collaboration with Aalto College in Finland and Wageningen College within the Netherlands, revealed that nanocellulose movies dyed with crimson 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 crimson onion dye are a promising possibility in functions the place the protecting materials ought to be bio-based,” acknowledged Doctoral Researcher Rustem Nizamov from the College of Turku.
Researchers evaluated 4 forms of nanocellulose movies enhanced with crimson onion extract, lignin, or iron ions, all recognized for his or her UV-filtering properties. Amongst them, the movie incorporating crimson onion extract demonstrated the simplest UV shielding.
Efficient UV safety should be balanced with the flexibility to transmit seen and near-infrared gentle, important for photo voltaic power conversion. Whereas supplies like lignin excel in UV absorption, their darkish hue hinders transparency. In distinction, the crimson 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 have been uncovered to synthetic gentle for 1,000 hours, equating to roughly one 12 months of pure daylight in central Europe. Researchers tracked modifications within the movies and photo voltaic cells via digital imaging.
“The research emphasised the significance of long-term testing for UV filters, because the UV safety and lightweight transmittance of the opposite bio-based filters modified considerably over time. For instance, the movies handled with iron ions had good preliminary transmittance which diminished after growing old,” tells Nizamov.
Checks centered on dye-sensitised photo voltaic cells, that are notably vulnerable 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 forms of photo voltaic cells, together with perovskite and natural photovoltaics, in addition to any software the place the usage of a bio-based UV filter is paramount,” Nizamov says.
Trying forward, the researchers goal to create biodegradable photo voltaic cells that might function energy sources in functions resembling meals packaging sensors.
“The forest trade is excited by growing new high-grade merchandise. Within the subject 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 power programs.
This work was a part of the BioEST undertaking, supported by the Analysis Council of Finland.
Associated Hyperlinks
College of Turku
All About Photo voltaic Power at SolarDaily.com