Optical properties of a biomimetically prepared hierarchical structured polydimethyl siloxane template for potential application in anti-reflection and photovoltaic encapsulation

Abstract

This paper describes optical studies on a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) surface biomimicked from rose petals. The textured PDMS membrane showed hierarchical nanostructures and significantly improved optical transmittance (96%; 400–1400 nm), and also indicated good superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. The average optical reflectance obtained was as low as 3% within a broad wavelength range of 400–1400 nm. Furthermore, an optical degradation analysis in the ambient atmosphere under varying weather conditions (46–4 °C) for a period of 12 months indicated a slow rate of decline in the optical properties of the hierarchical structured PDMS surface with negligible moisture permeation.