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Double layer thin films, mechanically stable and adhering to glass, were produced through the sol–gel process, using tetraethyl orthosilicate and titanium butoxide as precursors. The refractive index of the titania and silica– titania composite layers were typically 2.1 and 1.7, and their physical thicknesses were approximately 65 nm and 81 nm, respectively, as determined by ellipsometry. These optical constants allowed attainment of quarterwave optical thicknesses at the center of the visible spectrum (550 nm) as designed, with an increase of 3.4% in transmittance. The nanometric surface roughness, measured by optical profilometry, was effective to decrease light scattering and water contact angles to below 10◦ . As novelty in dip-coated sol–gel films, superhydrophilicity for self-cleaning, antifogging, and antireflection in the mid-visible spectrum were simultaneously attained with durability of 9 weeks in the dark. Further application of UV light allowed regeneration of contact angles for self-cleaning.

Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um filme absorvedor solar, de negro de fumo (NF) ou de grafite sobre base polimérica, para coletores de baixa temperatura (até ~ 50°C) com alta absortância no espectro solar (>90%), usando um método simples de produção. Com vistas às condições de trabalho do coletor, a adesão ao substrato foi verificada com água corrente e, embora sua condutividade térmica seja baixa em relação a do cobre – tradicionalmente empregado, a custos bem maiores – isto é, compensável por um aumento na área de contato absorvedor-água, permitida pela facilidade de processamento dos polímeros. Dentre estes, foram utilizados policarbonato (PC) e polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA), de alta transmitância no espectro visível (>80%), pouca degradação pela radiação ultravioleta e temperatura de transição vítrea suficiente para evitar seu sobreaquecimento (Tg > 100oC). Adicionalmente, foi depositado um recobrimento super-hidrofóbico, utilizando nanopartículas de sílica, silano e politetrafluoretileno, atingindo o efeito de superfície auto-limpante (histerese de ~ 2º). Com uma cobertura de poliéster, foi obtida baixa emissividade do conjunto (água/filme absorvedor/placa polimérica/ar/cobertura) no infravermelho (na faixa de 5 a 15 μm) e, por simulação experimental com a combinação selecionada de NF/PMMA, verificado um melhor aproveitamento da radiação solar. Na expectativa de também agregar anti-reflexão e melhor adesão entre o filme super-hidrofóbico e a cobertura, em seguimento a este trabalho, a abordagem aqui apresentada poderá se tornar viável para a produção de coletores autolimpantes de qualidade e com boa relação custo-benefício. In this work, a solar absorber film, of carbon black (NF) or graphite, on a polymeric base, was developed for low temperature collectors (up to ~ 50 ° C) with high absorptance in the solar spectrum (> 90%), using a simple production method. With regard to collector working conditions, the film adhesion to the substrate was verified with running water and, although its thermal conductivity is low compared to that of copper - traditionally employed, at higher costs - this can be compensed by an increase in the water-absorber contact area, which is allowed by the easiness of polymer processing. Among these, polycarbonate (PC) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were used, with high transmittance in the visible spectrum (> 80%), small degradation by ultraviolet radiation and sufficient glass transition temperature to prevent overheating (Tg>100°C). In addition, a superhydrophobic coating was deposited, using silica nanoparticles, silane and polytetrafluoroethylene, and the self-cleaning surface effect was achieved (hysteresis ~ 2º). With a polyester cover, low emissivity was obtained from the assemble (water / absorber film / polymer plate / air / cover) in the infrared (in the range of 5 to 15 μm), and by experimental simulation with the selected NF / PMMA combination, thus providing a better harvesting of solar radiation. With the perspective of also adding anti-reflection and better adhesion between the superhydrophobic film and the cover, as a follow-up of this work, the approach presented here could become viable to the production of quality self-cleaning collectors and with a good cost-benefit relation.