Abstract
3D printing of thin transparent sheets is challenging because transparency is compromised due to surface defects. Herein, the 3D printing of thin, transparent, and smooth polymeric surfaces is demonstrated with easy removal and potential application in solar cell encapsulation. Thin disk-shaped objects are printed using a vat-photopolymerization-based 3D-printing technique, and their transparency is measured. The disks are printed directly onto the build plate in three different orientations, whereas a modified build plate is used for each sample. The sample printed on the modified build plate exhibits the highest transparency (approximate to 95%) and is the easiest to remove from the plate. Thin and transparent sheets are prepared with embedded TiO2 nanoparticles using this approach. TiO2 addition blocks the ultraviolet-light wavelengths of 200-400 nm, which can reduce phonon generation in silicon solar cells and, thus, lower the panel surface temperature. The results demonstrate an 8 degrees C reduction in temperature, which can enhance the efficiency of silicon photovoltaics. The proposed method demonstrates the capability of 3D printing of transparent, smooth surfaces with easy removal of thin objects for various applications.