Structure-Infrared Optical Property-Correlations of C,O,H-Polymers for Transparent Insulation and Greenhouse Applications

Summary. In this paper an understanding of the physical relationships between the material structure and the temperature dependent infrared optical properties of different transparent polymer films for solar applications is described. The infrared optical properties are relevant for the heat transport of e.g. greenhouse and transparent insulation structures. The properties were determined based on infrared transmittance measurements and the assumption of a constant index of refraction from the visible range. To establish structure-property-correlations molecular structure parameters such as the concentration of carbon-oxygen single bonds and carbon-hydroxyl groups were determined. For 50 μm thick films a good correlation between the concentration of the functional carbon-hydroxyl and the carbon-oxygen group and the infrared optical thickness as well as the hemispherical emittance was found. This correlation fits well for high and low infrared radiation absorbing polymeric materials consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The carbon-hydroxyl group appears to be slightly more effective than the carbon-oxygen single bond. Interestingly, the correlation works for polymers with aromatic (PC, PET) and aliphatic (PMMA, CTA, ethylene copolymers) groups.