International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems is significantly influenced by surface contamination, which can reduce light transmission and energy conversion performance. In this study, self-cleaning nanostructured coatings based on titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂ ), and their doped and composite variants (with Y₂ O₃ and Eu₂ O₃ ) were synthesized using the sol-gel method and applied to photovoltaic glass substrates. The coatings were characterized in terms of their optical transmittance, surface morphology (AFM), wettability (contact angle), and crystallographic properties (XRD). Results indicate that TiO₂ coatings offer superior superhydrophilic behavior, while stabilized ZrO₂ -based composites show excellent transparency, surface homogeneity, and long-term durability. Eu₂ O₃ -doped coatings exhibit additional luminescent functionalities, potentially useful for photonic enhancement. These findings highlight the potential of sol-gel coatings in improving PV panel performance via integrated passive cleaning mechanisms and multifunctional surface engineering.

Obtained experimental self-cleaning coatings (based on compositions with the participation of Eu2O3), applied by the solgel method on glass slides. This study attempts to improve the overall efficiency of a photovoltaic solar panel by using a ZrO2-based coating, with Y2O3 and addition of Eu2O3. The optical characterization and phase composition of the obtained experimental samples were investigated using UV-VIS-NIR, XRD and XRF methods. The coatings are nanocrystalline according to XRD and XRF analyzes and show transmittance close to that of pure glass when tested with a UV–VIS–NIR spectrophotometer The experimental results represent a prerequisite for the development of a series of additional compositions and a detailed technological regime for obtaining various modifications of resistant, long-lasting self-cleaning coatings, potentially applicable to photovoltaic panels.

Obtained experimental self-cleaning coatings (based on compositions with the participation of Eu2O3), applied by the sol-gel method on glass slides. The luminescence of the obtained thin layers of different ratios of the compositions were investigated. A strong emission from the 5D0 level of Eu3+ ions was registered under near UV (392 nm) excitation using the 7F0 → 5L6 transition. The values of the integrated fluorescence intensity ratio R (5D0→7F2)/(5D0→7F1) was calculated to give information about the degree of asymmetry in the vicinity around the active ions, suggesting a location of Eu3+ in non-centrosymmetric sites. The highest Eu3+ luminescence is observed in sample with 3 layers coating. The experimental results represent a prerequisite for the development of a series of additional compositions and a detailed technological regime for obtaining various modifications of resistant, long-lasting self-cleaning coatings, potentially applicable to photovoltaic panels.