TITLE:
Ponceau 2R Doped Poly (ST/MMA) as Fluorescent Solar Collectors and Evaluation Effect of Matrix on Their Field Performance
AUTHORS:
S. M. Reda, Asla A. Al-Zahrani
KEYWORDS:
Luminescent Solar Collectors; Ponceau 2R; Polymethylmethacrylate; Polystyrene; Photodegradation; Fluorescence Quantum Yield
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Energy Efficiency,
Vol.1 No.3,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) with styrene (ST) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) of different percentage as the matrix were prepared by a casting method using ponceau 2R. DSC has been used to compare the thermal stability of the different LSCs. FTIR spectroscopy shows that appearance of -N=N- for ponceau 2R in all ST/MMA matrixes indicating that the highest stability of this kind of dye in these matrixes. The values of the optical band gap (Eg) have been obtained from direct allowed transition before and after the samples have been exposed to sunlight for 9 weeks. Photodegradation studies revealed that the more photostable dye doped in PMMA matrix than in other matrixes. The results showed that the homo PMMA/ponceau 2R system has the highest fluorescence quantum yield (Qf). Therefore this sample can be selected for field performance of fluorescent solar collectors. The photovoltaic cell coupled with homo PMMA/2R LSC shows a maximum efficiency, 2% compared to the normal one.