NEW DESIGNS OF LUMINESCENT SOLAR CONCENTRATORS

Geervliet, Tristan (2018) NEW DESIGNS OF LUMINESCENT SOLAR CONCENTRATORS. Master's Thesis / Essay, Chemical Engineering.

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Abstract

In the attempt to find bio-based alternatives for PMMA as host matrix for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), two types of renewable polyesters were synthesized. A series of random homopolymers from diethyl 2,3:4,5-di- O-methylene galactarate (GxMe) + isosorbide (IGPn) and polymers from 1,3-propanediol + terephthalate + GxMe (GTPn) were prepared in varying molar ratios via a two-step melt-polycondensation reaction with dibutyl tin oxide as catalyst. IGP05, for which the ratio GxMe:Isosorbide was 1:1 (Mw=3000 g mole-1) and GTP03, for which the ratio GxMe:terephthalate was 1:1 (Mw=20000 g mole-1), showed optimal thermal properties and optimal compatibility with Lumogen Red 305 (LR). Thin film LSC systems were prepared from four polymers and spectroscopic characterization showed results similar or superior to PMMA-based thin film LSCs. The maximum optical efficiency for the IGP05/LR films was 8.50% at 1.4 wt.% and for the GTP03/LR films it was 7.73% at 1.4 wt.%, which is higher than the 7.41% found for the PMMA/LR 1.4 wt.% film. Both polymers are therefore considered excellent bio-based replacements for the state-of-the-art PMMA as host matrix for thin film LSCs. In addition, it was decided to also prepare films with new fluorophores. Three other organic fluorophores than the state-of-the-art LR were used and based respectively on the benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]bisthiazole unit (BBT), the dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]silole heterocyclic unit (DTS) and eventually one aggregation induced emission fluorophore (TTF). TTF/GTP03 films showed similar behavior as LR/PMMA films in terms of absorption and emission intensity, as well as quantum yield. With a maximum optical efficiency of 7.01% for the 1.4 wt.% TTF/PMMA film, TTF performed almost as well as LR. BBT/PMMA films showed an interesting red-shift at high dye concentrations, probably linked to the formation of red-emitting aggregates in the polymer matrix. The highest optical efficiency of 5.78% was obtained for the 1.4 wt.% BBT/PMMA film. DTS/PMMA films showed poor optical efficiency (3.56%), due to low quantum yields for all dye concentrations, probably linked to the formation of non-emissive aggregates in the polymer matrix. Due to its high optical efficiency, the TTF fluorophore has the most potential to replace LR in large scale LSC production.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Supervisor name:	Picchioni, F.
Degree programme:	Chemical Engineering
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2018
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2018 12:57
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/17474

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