Perylene-doped polycarbonate coatings for acrylic active greenhouse luminescent solar concentrator dryers

Abstract

Red fluorescent Polycarbonate (PC) films were prepared by solvent-casting technique from PC solution doped with different dye concentrations of perylene dyestuff (KREMER Red 94720). The effect of the dye concentration on the structure and photophysical properties was studied using X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The optimum dye concentration of red fluorescent PC films showed the best emission efficiency for the doping concentration 0.3 wt%. These results endorsed a new application of this film for active greenhouse luminescent solar concentrator dryers (LSCDs) with enhanced feature of integrated solar powered convection. Field performance of LSCD prototype was examined under normal climatic conditions of Riyadh city (24.68 N, 46.72 E) during summer. The final moisture content was calculated for five kinds of fruits (banana, mango, lemon, fig, and tomato) which showed a better product quality and less drying time for LSCD compared to open sun drying.