Solar Energy Applications Research Articles

Prototype Development for Solar Energy Tracking Based on Arduino in QUEST Campus Larkana

The utilization of solar energy has become increasingly popular due to its renewable and sustainable nature. However, one of the primary challenges in solar energy harvesting is the optimization of the amount of energy that can be captured from the sun. The implementation of solar trackers is an effective solution that enables the automatic adjustment of the solar panel's position to face the sun throughout the day. In this project, an Arduino-based solar tracker prototype was designed and implemented to optimize the solar energy harvesting process. The system employs Light-Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect sunlight intensity and a servo motor to adjust the position of the solar panel accordingly. The system was programmed using the Arduino programming language and was tested using a small-scale solar panel. The increasing demand for cost-effective and easy-to-install renewable energy systems has led to a growing interest in photovoltaic solar energy for residential use. To optimize energy production, a two-axis photovoltaic solar tracker that orients the solar panel toward the maximum solar radiation is proposed in this study. The use of Free Computer Aided Design (CAD) 0.15 for the prototype's design, combined with Arduino technology, provides an affordable solution for mounting the solar tracker on flat roofs and other horizontal building elements. The performance of the solar tracker was evaluated under various testing conditions, showcasing an enhanced level of accuracy and energy production when compared to traditional fixed systems. The prototype's successful demonstration represents a significant advancement in the field, providing a practical solution for small-scale and residential solar energy applications. This research prototype was developed and installed on the roof of the Electrical department of QUEST, Campus Larkana, and validated through simulation results.

Improved transition metal photosensitizers to drive advances in photocatalysis.

To function effectively in a photocatalytic application, a photosensitizer's light absorption, excited-state lifetime, and redox potentials, both in the ground state and excited state, are critically important. The absorption profile is particularly relevant to applications involving solar harvesting, whereas the redox potentials and excited-state lifetimes determine the thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum yields of photoinduced redox processes. This perspective article focuses on synthetic inorganic and organometallic approaches to optimize these three characteristics of transition-metal based photosensitizers. We include our own work in these areas, which has focused extensively on exceptionally strong cyclometalated iridium photoreductants that enable challenging reductive photoredox transformations on organic substrates, and more recent work which has led to improved solar harvesting in charge-transfer copper(i) chromophores, an emerging class of earth-abundant compounds particularly relevant to solar-energy applications. We also extensively highlight many other complementary strategies for optimizing these parameters and highlight representative examples from the recent literature. It remains a significant challenge to simultaneously optimize all three of these parameters at once, since improvements in one often come at the detriment of the others. These inherent trade-offs and approaches to obviate or circumvent them are discussed throughout.

Application of Solar Energy to Liquify Beewax

This study investigates the feasibility of using solar energy for melting recycled older combs and capping wax byproducts to create raw beeswax. The solar-driven beeswax melter is composed of a stainless steel container, a lean-to structure featuring polycarbonate sheet covers, a wooden solar heater, and parallel arrays of PV solar panels. The research contrasts three distinct approaches for melting beeswax: the conventional water bath technique, exclusive reliance on solar energy for melting, and the combination of solar energy and supplementary heat from solar panels. The traditional water bath method's effectiveness and the bulk temperature of the liquified beeswax were gauged. In the case of the solar-powered wax melting setups, the process's efficiency, the melted wax's bulk temperature, and various macroclimatic factors such as sunlight radiation, temperature, and relative humidity were documented. Based on the experimental outcomes, the beeswax melting efficiency was determined to be 73.4% for the traditional water bath method, whereas it escalated to 85.5% and 87.2% for the solar approaches, respectively. Hence, the utilization of solar techniques for beeswax melting is recommended.

Excellent Absorption of LaCoxO3 Over Full Solar Spectrum and Direct Photothermal Energy Storage of Ca(OH)2–LaCoxO3

Abstract: Photothermal conversion is a vital way for solar energy applications. The strong absorption of near Infrared light is essential for excellent photothermal performance. In this study, we demonstrated that nano LaCoxO3 is able to harvest light intensely across the full solar spectrum with high photothermal temperature. A core-shell-like structure of LaCoxO3-coated Ca(OH)2 particles was fabricated and shows excellent photothermal conversion, high kinetics of dehydration and remarkable cycle stability of heat storage and release. The photothermal dehydration-conversion of Ca(OH)2 increases 8.4-fold. Results demonstrate the multifunctionality of LaCoxO3, intensifying light harvesting, high photothermal conversion, good stability, considerable strength, and porous framework favouring the performance of photothermal storage and release cycles. LaCoxO3–Ca(OH)2 composite can simultaneously harvest light and store thermal energy.

Optimization DC-DC boost converter of BLDC motor drive by solar panel using PID and firefly algorithm

The use of solar photovoltaic panels as source of power for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors requires a DC-DC Converter circuit. One application of solar energy is as a power source for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors. The main problem is the voltage fluctuation and low DC voltage generated by the solar panel. This research aims to improve the performance of the DC-DC Boost Converter circuit and minimize voltage fluctuations. The methodology encompasses mathematical modeling of the circuit in the form of transfer functions and optimizing the DC-DC Boost Converter circuit using the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller and the Firefly algorithm. Simulation testing results indicate an improvement in transient response performance of the DC-DC Converter circuit as a driver for the BLDC motor. This is evidenced by an increase in rise time from 499 s to 820 s, a decrease in settling time from 3.33 e+03 s to 2.07e+03 s, and a reduction in overshoot to 0 % from previously 11.4 %. The utilization of the firefly algorithm in optimization significantly enhances system efficiency, as demonstrated by faster achievement of stability without excessive oscillation and a reduction in the time required for the system to settle. Overall, this study shows that the firefly algorithm is effective in developing DC-DC Boost Converter circuits, improving system efficiency by reducing settling time and eliminating overshoot. These findings provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of using artificial intelligence algorithms in enhancing the operational efficiency of energy conversion systems.

Design and Performance Analysis of an Air-Based Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector in Winter

The most basic needs of the buildings in which we spend almost all of our time are electricity and heat demands. Especially in cold climatic regions, it is very important that both electrical energy and heating energy demand are met through the same system. The use of photovoltaic (PV), is increasing rapidly. Photovoltaic panels can transform solar energy into electrical energy with less than 20% performance. Photovoltaic-thermal(PV/T) collectors which can be mounted on facades of buildings or used as building envelopes, are one of the solar energy applications. With this collector, both electric energy and thermal energy demand is produced from solar energy. In our work, Photovoltaic panel and some kind of solar air collector have been taken into consideration. In order to determine the behavior of the air-based photovoltaic-thermal collector, an experimental setup and a measurement system have been established. The experimental setup consists of this measurement system, sensors that obtain data, and a data storage unit that can transmit temperature, humidity, and radiation data to the computer at the desired frequency. In order to determine the performance of the air-based PV/T collector, the efficiencies of both the PV and the solar air collector were calculated separately. To determine the performance of this collector, calculation criteria’s and model has been determined. When creating this model, the problem has been considered as time-dependent under irregular conditions. The theoretical analysis model, which was established to determine the performance of the air-based PV/T collector, was evaluated according to the winter climatic conditions of Izmir-Turkey.

Generation of Anisotropic Cloud Cover

This paper introduces an advanced mathematical model for generating and analyzing cloud cover images, specifically designed to enhance photovoltaic (PV) partial shading studies. The model development involved a detailed analysis of real cloud cover images, with a particular emphasis on capturing their anisotropic spectral characteristics. This was achieved through a combination of spectral analysis and advanced image processing techniques. The research methodologically focused on developing a four-parameter model to accurately represent cloud formations' spectral properties. Key parameters were identified and fine-tuned to match the real cloud formations' characteristics. This involved analyzing the magnitude and phase spectra of the cloud covers and fitting them to a model capable of replicating these properties accurately. A significant part of the research was dedicated to formulating a novel phase spectrum generation technique. This technique was specifically designed to control the degree of similarity between the synthesized and original images, thereby ensuring the model's effectiveness in various simulation scenarios. The process involved manipulating the phase information of cloud cover images while maintaining their high-frequency components to enhance the detail and realism of the synthesized images. The model's accuracy in replicating cloud cover features was tested against traditional spectral synthesis methods. This comparative analysis involved generating cloud cover images using the developed model and established methods, then comparing these images to the original cloud covers in terms of visual similarity and approximation error. Additionally, the model was utilized to generate pseudo-random cloud cover images by varying the phase spectrum parameters. This process ensured that the generated images, while being random, adhered to the spectral characteristics of the original cloud covers. The research methodology also involved a detailed examination of the images' key characteristics, such as direction, length, and density, to ensure fidelity to the original samples. In summary, this paper details an approach to cloud cover image synthesis, with a focus on the accuracy of spectral properties and the development of an algorithm of model parameters estimation. The research highlights the use of advanced spectral analysis and image processing techniques in deriving key model parameters, leading to a significant advancement in cloud imaging for solar energy applications.

Modeling and simulation of nano-enriched latent heat thermal storage system for concentrated solar energy

This study conducts a comprehensive investigation into latent heat thermal storage (LHTS) systems specifically designed for concentrated solar energy, primarily focusing on augmenting energy storage efficiency. The enhancement of storage systems is critical for augmenting the production capacity of solar systems, thereby significantly improving their overall annual performance. Utilizing the computational capabilities of the COMSOL, a thorough analysis is conducted. The research essentially focuses on potential enhancements in the LHTS, concentrating on applications of concentrated solar energy. The selected phase change material (PCM) is assessed concerning its intrinsic thermal properties and potential for optimization, especially by incorporating high-quality nanoparticles with advanced thermal properties. The obtained simulation results robustly indicate that integrating nanoparticles into the storage medium presents a viable strategy for boosting the efficiency and stability of concentrated solar systems. Moreover, the results demonstrate that using nano-enriched PCM decreases the charging time by 8.6 to 12.5 %, underscoring the effectiveness of this approach.

Design of emergency solar energy system adjacent the nuclear power plant to prevent nuclear accidents and increase safety

Providing sufficient energy in emergency situations in nuclear power plants is of great importance due to their crucial role in improving power plant safety and eliminating disasters.Solar power is capable of providing a secure energy source which could be used for emergency power loads. The main goal of this study is application of solar energy for providing emergency loads of the Tehran research reactor. A 100 kW solar power plant connected to the grid and 400 kWh battery pack which is capable of providing 50 kw loads for 8 h is designed. As the first priority, the plant charges the battery pack and discharges excess energy to the power grid. Therefore, the proposed scheme, in addition to increasing safety, also has economic benefits. Design procedure of the power plant was carried out using PVsyst which is international well known software for designing solar power plants and results were investigated. Economic evaluation of the project is carried out using RETSCREEN software and different schemes are evaluated. Due to the critical nature of the power loads and their sensitivity, application of this scheme for providing emergency energy loads of the Tehran research reactor is suggested. Considering the expansion of nuclear safety and the protection of the environment and humanity, we request the respected editors and reviewers of the journal to have positive opinions about the publication of the article.

Pressure and temperature effects on the electron transport layer material for solar energy applications: a molecular dynamic approach explores the influence of environmental conditions of biostructure materials in solar cells

This investigation initiated by modelling the crystal structure of perovskite to explore the impact of different temperatures. Researchers modified the perovskite crystal structure and observed its response to temperature variations. The study involved assessing the efficiency and fill factor of perovskite solar cells, incorporating photovoltaic structures without specifying the electron transport layer material. The primary goal of this initiative is to provide power to buildings using environmentally acceptable components in perovskite solar cells. The promising efficiency and cost-effectiveness of manufacturing make perovskite solar cells an intriguing option for generating clean and sustainable energy.

Atomistic Insights into the Effect of Functional Groups on the Adsorption of Water by Activated Carbon for Heat Energy Storage.

Adsorption heat storage holds great promise for solar energy applications. The development of new adsorbent materials is currently the research focus in this area. The present work designs several activated carbon models with different functional groups, including -OH, -NH2, -COOH, and -SO3H, and explores the influence of functional groups' categories and numbers on the water adsorption capacity of the activated carbon using the GCMC method. The adsorption mechanism between functional groups and water molecules is analyzed using density functional theory. The results show that the functional groups could significantly improve the water adsorption capacity of activated carbon due to the hydrogen bond between functional groups and water molecules. In the scope of this paper, under low pressure, the activated carbon with -SO3H exhibits the best adsorption capacity, followed by the activated carbon with -COOH. Under low and medium pressure, increasing the number of -SO3H functional groups could increase the water adsorption capacity; however, when the pressure is high, increasing the functional group numbers might decrease the water adsorption capacity. As the temperature increases, the water adsorption capacity of activated carbons decreases, and the activated carbon with -SO3H is proven to have excellent application prospects in heat energy storage.

Analyzing heat and mass transport phenomena using the Casson-nanofluid model in the context of Vacuum Pump Oil (VPO) and Cattaneo-Christov heat flux applications

The researchers have shown significant interest in nanofluids due to their superior heat rate transport and enhanced thermal efficiency when compared to general fluids. The useful applications of nanofluids are electronic cooling, automotive engines, machinery, industrial equipment, lubrication processes, solar energy applications, targeted drug delivery, electronics cooling, solar collectors, automotive engines, etc. Therefore, this study focuses on examining the enhanced heat and mass transmission due to the nanofluid model along the curved stretched surface. For the nanofluid formation, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are incorporated into the vacuum pump oil (VPO). The flow of nanofluid is typically characterized by the combined effects of magnetic influence and chemical reactivity. Further, the relevance of the heat source/sink, Brownian and thermophoretic diffusivity, and the Cattaneo-Christov heat flux are considered in the present analysis. The problem is expressed using PDEs, and these PDEs are renovated into nonlinear ODEs through the application of similarity transformations. An analytical procedure known as the HAM technique is used for the simulation of the resulting higher-order ODEs of the formulated problem. Furthermore, the validity of the present model's accuracy is confirmed through a comparison with the published findings. Some significant outcomes of the present problem are that the heat transference is larger for the curvature factor and thermal relaxation time factor. Nanoliquid velocity is lesser for the greater magnetic factor due to the Lorentz force mechanism. Further, it is examined that the nanoliquid solutal profile is lesser for the higher chemical reaction factor. Detailed discussions on numerous engineering and industrial applications are also extensively covered.

Modeling global solar radiation using ambient temperature

Accurate information about solar radiation is regarded as the most important stage in determining the availability of solar energy. As well, it is considered the principal input for various applications of solar energy. Because solar radiation measurements are unavailable at many locations throughout the world, many solar radiation models have been developed to predict global solar radiation. In this regard, this study objects to develop accurate and quick Global Solar Radiation (GSR) models for new locations, which currently lack an accurate model. Additionally, assess the performance of a recently introduced model, one of the best temperature-based models for GSR estimation, in these five new sites. Moreover, the proposed model's generalization capacity is investigated over the whole zone, the Suez Canal Zone, and a comparative analysis of its performance is presented. Models’ estimation is compared to the observed values, and the most common performance indicators are obtained to assess models’ performance. The findings indicate that the developed models in this study can predict global solar radiation accurately. Where the Models’ performance, both the local and general models, are larger than 95 % at all sites except for the local one at Port Said City (coastal site), it is 91 %. Additionally, the developed models have good RMSE and MABE values which range from 0.8 to 1.8 (MJ/m2 day−1) and 0.7 to 1.7 (MJ/m2 day−1), successively. Besides, they have excellent performance with coefficient of determination (R2) values ranging from 0.95 to 0.98, whereas prior research's ranges are 0.884–0.895 for R2 and 2.69–3.367 (MJ/m2 day−1) for RMSE. Therefore, the developed models in this study can be utilized for accurate GSR forecast, with their high applicability which may be achieved by combining them with various long- or short-term weather forecasting approaches, that are mostly used to reliably anticipate weather temperature. As well, these models' precise and speedy computation of GSR can also be employed in the design and performance evaluation of various solar applications.

Site adaptation with machine learning for a Northern Europe gridded global solar irradiance product

Gridded global horizontal irradiance (GHI) databases are fundamental for analysing solar energy applications' technical and economic aspects, particularly photovoltaic applications. Today, there exist numerous gridded GHI databases whose quality has been thoroughly validated against ground-based irradiance measurements. Nonetheless, databases that generate data at latitudes above 65˚ are few, and those available gridded irradiance products, which are either reanalysis or based on polar orbiters, such as ERA5, COSMO-REA6, or CM SAF CLARA-A2, generally have lower quality or a coarser time resolution than those gridded irradiance products based on geostationary satellites. Amongst the high-latitude gridded GHI databases, the STRÅNG model developed by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) is likely the most accurate one, providing data across Sweden. To further enhance the product quality, the calibration technique called "site adaptation" is herein used to improve the STRÅNG dataset, which seeks to adjust a long period of low-quality gridded irradiance estimates based on a short period of high-quality irradiance measurements. This study introduces a novel approach for site adaptation of solar irradiance based on machine learning techniques, which differs from the conventional statistical methods used in previous studies. Seven machine-learning algorithms have been analysed and compared with conventional statistical approaches to identify Sweden's most accurate algorithms for site adaptation. Solar irradiance data gathered from three weather stations of SMHI is used for training and validation. The results show that machine learning can substantially improve the STRÅNG model's accuracy. However, due to the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in model performance, no universal machine learning model can be identified, which suggests that site adaptation is a location-dependant procedure.

Spectra measurement and clustering analysis of global horizontal irradiance for solar energy application

Fine description for regional solar spectra has always been critical for improving solar energy utilization. However, it is difficult and complex to implement due to large amount and high-dimensional characteristics of the measured solar spectra. To address the above challenges, this study proposed a data-driven method to describe regional solar spectra using 211,877 global horizontal irradiance spectra in Beijing area as case data. Firstly, the dimensions of each measured spectrum were reduced from 2,221 to six using the deep autoencoder. Then, all dimensionality-reduced measured spectra were categorized into five clusters using the agglomerative hierarchical clustering. The clustering results exhibited notable variations across different months and dates. Finally, the local reference spectra were determined based on clustering results, and their effects on the performance of typical photovoltaic materials were analyzed. The maximum mismatch factor for typical photovoltaic materials under local reference spectra can reach up to 21 %. The comparisons with standard spectrum highlighted that the superior capacity of local reference spectra to describe the configuration of regional solar energy. This study provides a novel insight into the fine description for regional solar spectra, which sets a new direction for innovation in photovoltaic technology and promotes the sustainable utilization of renewable energy.

A case study on distillate output of solar still using toner waste powder coated absorber plate

Potable water is limited on the earth today, and its use is increasing day by day due to the industrial revolution and population. Solar still is a simple device used to convert saline/brackish water into potable water by application of solar energy. The distillate output of solar still remains lower. Also, it is the main problem of the solar still, so the researchers are trying to discover new innovations to improve distillate output. The main objective of this research paper is to use toner waste powder (TWP) mixed with black paint and its effect on distillate output and energy-exergy efficiency analysis. Toner waste powder characterized by FESEM and XRD tests. In the present work, two similar-sized solar stills have been used under climate conditions of Palanpur (24.1724° N, 72.4346° E), India, from April 2022 to May 2022. Observations of solar stills like water, inner glass cover temperature, distillate output, wind speed and solar intensity are measured every hour during experimental days. It has been found that the coating of the absorber plate with toner waste powder improved distillate output by 55.71 % and 51.90 % at water depths 2 cm and 3 cm as compared with the conventional solar still & 9.54 % higher at 2 cm water depth compared to 3 cm water depth. Energy and exergy efficiency also increased with the toner waste powder in solar still. From this research work, it has been concluded that the toner waste powder is a good low-cost material to increase the distillate output, energy and exergy efficiency.

Natural down fiber-reinforced and polypyrrole-modified silk fibroin composite aerogel for efficient solar steam generation toward seawater desalination and wastewater treatment

Poor mechanical properties and low photothermal efficiency of silk fibroin (SF)-based aerogels are current challenges that need to be addressed. Herein, SF composite aerogel was developed to enhance the mechanical properties through physical interpenetration of natural down fiber (Df) and hydrogen bonds formed among SF, Df, and polypyrrole (PPy) and to improve the evaporation performance via in-situ polymerization of PPy. The resultant Df/PPy@SF aerogel showed significant improvement of compressive stress (194.29 kPa), which was 6.96 times than that of SF aerogel (27.91 kPa), and also good compression resiliency. Furthermore, due to uniform distribution of PPy and high porosity of 95.27 %, Df/PPy@SF aerogel possessed high light absorbance of 99.87 % and low thermal conductivity (0.043 W·m−1·K−1). Thus, the Df/PPy@SF aerogel evaporator demonstrated high evaporation rates of 2.12 kg·m−2·h−1 for 3.5 wt% saline water, 2.04–2.15 kg·m−2·h−1 for various dye water, and 2.10 kg·m−2·h−1 for actual dye wastewater. Moreover, the developed aerogel exhibited evaporation stability and outstanding salt-resistance when treating seawater due to continuous water supply by superhydrophilic porous aerogel. Therefore, these findings demonstrate the excellent performance of Df/PPy@SF aerogel and will inspire further research on developing natural fiber-reinforced aerogels for use in the fields of solar water evaporation, energy, and other related applications.

MXene-based eutectic salt hydrate phase change material for efficient thermal features, corrosion resistance & photo-thermal energy conversion

Salt hydrate phase change materials (PCMs) possess low thermal conductivity, degree of supercooling, lack of corrosion resistance and poor photo thermal conversion ability. To overcome these challenges, a two dimensional, chemically stable, optically & thermally efficient MXene@eutectic salt hydrate composite PCM is developed for effective harnessing of solar energy and thermal energy storage (TES) applications. Low temperature eutectic salt hydrate PCM with phase transition temperature of 27.6 °C and 216 J/g melting enthalpy is developed using sodium sulphate decahydrate (SSD) and sodium phosphate dibasic dodecahydrate (SPDD) based on Schrader equation. Advanced 2D layered material, MXene (Ti3C2) is synthesised from MAX phase (Ti3AlC2). Furthermore, MXene based PCM nanocomposite is developed with binary eutectic PCM of SSD/SPDD at different weight fractions through two step technique. Developed nanocomposite PCM exhibits better chemical stability, high optical absorbance of (1.1), low transmissibility (10.2 %), reliable thermal conductivity (0.621 W/m⋅K), improved melting enthalpy (161.2 J/g) and considerable cycle stability. The optical absorbance and thermal conductivity demonstrated a superior photo-thermal conversion capability and thermal networks for the developed MXene based composite sample at 0.9 wt% of MXene. The above properties are experimentally inferred by evaluating the developed MXene@ eutectic salt hydrate and base eutectic PCM under the solar simulator. The interfacial attraction between the two dimensional MXene nano flakes and the developed eutectic PCM ensures a promising ability to trap solar energy effectively for thermal regulation in a sustainable direction. Subsequently, the effect of MXene with SSD/SPDD in regard to the issue of corrosion is explored for copper and aluminium metal surface.

Enhancing photovoltaic materials: DFT insights into structural modification of benzo [1, 2-b: 4, 5-b1]dithiophene unit (BDT)-based molecule

Four small molecule (DRTTBDT-A1 to DRTTBDT-A4) based on Benzodithiophene were studied for their optoelectronic properties and compared to the reference molecule (DRTTBDT-R) as potential donors in organic solar cells. The designed molecules feature electron-withdrawing moieties attached to both terminals of the reference molecule. Computational investigations using density functional theory indicated that DRTTBDT-A1 displayed the most intriguing characteristics in dichloromethane solvent, with a small energy gap of 3.84 eV, a high λmax at 519 nm, and a large dipole moment of 5.92 D. These features suggest superior miscibility and potential for high performance in OSCs. The newly engineered molecules also exhibited higher open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency compared to the reference, indicating enhanced operational efficiency. PCE values ranging from 27.90 to 31.71 were observed, surpassing the reference molecule's PCE of 27.49. These findings demonstrate the potential of structural modifications in designing efficient photovoltaic materials for solar energy applications.

Construction of interconnected nanostructures via linear chains silica for antireflective coatings in solar cell

Solar cells play a pivotal role in increasing the application of solar energy, offering an innovative solution to address the energy crisis. However, the loss of light transmittance through solar cell glass results in the decrease of power conversion efficiency. Base-catalyzed silica antireflection coating can effectively improve light transmittance due to its porous structure, but mechanical fragility limits their applications. To enhance the strength of these coatings, herein we employed two strategies, in-situ and ex-situ catalysis, introducing the acid-catalyzed silica chains to bind the silica nanoparticles and form an interconnected nanostructure. Different combination modes of in/ex-situ silica generate two distinct nanostructures, including nanoparticles tightly connected by short chains or wrapped by long chains. Compared to the ex-situ catalyzed coatings, the in-situ catalyzed coatings have greater porosity, reactivity and mechanical property. When the silica linear chain accounts for 30 %, in-situ catalyzed coatings show an average transmission of more than 96.4 %, representing a 6.5 % improvement over glass plate, and the pencil hardness reaches 3H, meeting the requirements of industrial applications. After the hydrophobic treatment, the water contact angle exceeds 130°, exhibiting excellent self-cleaning performance. It is believed that the facile and scalable in-situ catalyzed AR coatings have great application potential.