Thermo-mechanical and physical characterization of polyolefin based films for photovoltaic cells

In this study we have studied and compared the physical and mechanical features of two adhesive materials, polyethylene (PE) based, employed as adhesive films for glasses in solar photovoltaic cells. The two polymeric films are in formulations with chemical functional molecules: one is a cross-linkable PE and the other is a ionomeric PE resin. Their adhesion strength was characterized by lap shear tests at three different temperatures. Thermal characterization (by DSC and TGA analysis), wet ability and gas diffusivity measurements have been also performed. Experimental results highlighted that cross-linked PE exhibited a better mechanical adhesive features than the ionomeric resin, beside a lower wet ability toward water molecules, gas barrier and thermal stability, all features required as sealant in the solar cells.