Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of the cross-linking degree of commercial ethylene-vinyl-acetate polymer by luminescence spectroscopy

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate is the most common encapsulation polymer in photovoltaic modules. Its degree of crosslinking is a critical parameter of the production process, greatly influencing the durability of the product. The luminescence of Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate with UV excitation is presented here as a non-destructive method to determine the degree of crosslinking. The luminescence intensity increases with the degree of crosslinking. Supposing a linear correlation the method allows determining the degree of crosslinking with a relative precision of 12 %. This optical method it is suitable and comparatively easy to apply for an industrial in-line measurement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hirschl C, Biebl - Rydlo M, DeBiasio M, Mühleisen W, Neumaier L, Scherf W, Oreski G, Eder G, Chernev B, Schwab W, Kraft M (2013) Determining the degree of crosslinking of ethylene vinyl acetate photovoltaic module encapsulants—a comparative study. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 116(0):203–218. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Czanderna AW, Pern FJ (1996) Encapsulation of PV modules using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer as a pottant: a critical review. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 43(2):101–181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Jordan DC, Kurtz SR (2013) Photovoltaic degradation rates—an analytical review. Prog Photovolt Res Appl 21(1):12–29. doi:10.1002/pip.1182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Morlier A, Klotz S, Sczuka S, Kunze I, Schaumann I, Blankemeyer S, Siegert M, Döring T, Alshuth T, Giese U, Denz M, Köntges M Influence of the curing state of ethylene-vinyl acetate on photovoltaic modules aging. In: 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 2013.

  5. Jurga J, Voelkel A, Strzemiecka B (2009) Application of different analytical methods used in the study of the cross-linking of resins in intermediate-product used in manufacturing of abrasive articles. J Appl Polym Sci 112(6):3305–3312. doi:10.1002/App.29840

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kajari-Schröder S, Eitner U, Oprisoni C, Alshuth T, Köntges M, Brendel R (2010) Modelling the Curing Dynamics of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate. Paper presented at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Valencia, Spain,

  7. ASTM International (2006) Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics. ASTM International; SAI Global,

  8. Schubnell M (2010) Investigation of curing reaction of EVA by DSC and DMA. Photovoltaics Int 7:131–137

    Google Scholar 

  9. Xia Z, Cunningham D, Wohlgemuth J (2009) A new Method for measuring crosslinking density in ethylene vinyl acetate-based encapsulant. Photovoltaics International 5 (150)

  10. Stark W, Jaunich M, Bohmeyer W, Lange K (2012) Investigation of the crosslinking behaviour of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) for solar cell encapsulation by rheology and ultrasound. Polym Test 31:904–908

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Mühleisen W, Biebl-Rydlo M, Spielberger M (2011) Acoustic in situ Determination of EVA features. Paper presented at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference,

  12. Schulze S (2010) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Steuerung der Temperaturführung bei einem thermischen Laminationsprozess.

  13. Li H-Y, Perret-Aebi L-E, Théron R, Ballif C, Luo Y, Lange RFM (2011) Optical transmission as a fast and non-destructive tool for determination of ethylene-co-vinyl acetate curing state in photovoltaic modules. Prog Photovolt: Res App:187–194

  14. Schlothauer J, Jungwirth S, Köhl M, Röder B (2012) Degradation of the encapsulant polymer in outdoor weathered photovoltaic modules: spatially resolved inspection of EVA ageing by fluorescence and correlation to electroluminescence. SolEnergy Mater SolCells. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2012.03.022

    Google Scholar 

  15. Köntges M, Kajari-Schröder S, Kunze I Cell cracks measured by UV fluorescence in the field. In: Proceedings of the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 2012.

  16. Röder B, Ermilov EA, Philipp D, Köhl M Observation of polymer degradation processes in photovoltaic modules via luminescence detection. In: SPIE 7048, Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems, 2008.

  17. Jolliffe IT (2002) Principal Component Analysis. Springer series in statistics, 2nd Edition edn. Springer Series in Statistics,

  18. Duarte AC, Capelo S (2006) Application of chemometrics in separation science. J Liq Chromatogr Relat Technol 29:1143–1176. doi:10.1080/10826070600574929

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Strzemiecka B, Heberger K, Voelkel A (2013) Similarity and grouping of perlite and zeolite abrasive fillers: a replacement test. J Appl Polym Sci 127(5):3839–3847. doi:10.1002/App.37695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany

    Jan Caspar Schlothauer, Rojonirina Maryline Ralaiarisoa & Beate Röder

  2. Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH), Am Ohrberg 1, 31860, Emmerthal, Germany

    Arnaud Morlier & Marc Köntges

Authors
  1. Jan Caspar Schlothauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rojonirina Maryline Ralaiarisoa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Arnaud Morlier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marc Köntges
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Beate Röder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beate Röder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Schlothauer, J.C., Ralaiarisoa, R.M., Morlier, A. et al. Determination of the cross-linking degree of commercial ethylene-vinyl-acetate polymer by luminescence spectroscopy. J Polym Res 21, 457 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-014-0457-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-014-0457-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation