# Dual First and Second Surface Solar Mirrors of Polished WS2 and Silver by Dynamical Chemical Plating Technique on Polycarbonate

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to create durable, reflective mirrors for solar power using polycarbonate and materials like silver and tungsten disulfide.

## Contribution

The novel use of WS2 and silver on polycarbonate for dual-sided, weather-resistant solar mirrors is presented.

## Key findings

- Dynamic chemical plating deposits silver films on polycarbonate with good adhesion and reflectivity.
- WS2 can be used as a reflective coating on polycarbonate surfaces via mechanical polishing.
- Surface modification improves wettability and adhesion without harming the polycarbonate substrate.

## Abstract

This work proposes for the first time protecting–reflecting on both sides of plated mirrors and a solution to polycarbonate surface vulnerability to weathering and scratching using tungsten disulfide (WS2) by mechanical polishing. The ability of the dynamic chemical plating (DCP) technique to deposit Ag films at the nanometer scale on a polycarbonate (PC) substrate and its characteristics to be metallized is also shown. These deposits hold significant promise for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications. Complementarily, the application of WS2 as a reflective film for CSP by mechanical polishing on smooth polycarbonate surfaces is both novel and practical. This technique is innovative and scalable without needing reactants or electrical potential, making it highly applicable in real-world scenarios, including, potentially, on-site maintenance. The effects of surface morphology and adhesion, and the reflectivity parameters of the silver metallic surfaces were investigated. Wettability was investigated because it is important for polymeric surfaces in the activation and metal deposition immediately after redox reactions. The flame technique improved wettability by modifying the surface with carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups, with PC among the few industrial polymers that resisted such a part of the process. The change in the chemical composition, roughness, and wettability of the surfaces effectively improved the adhesion between the Ag film and the PC substrate. However, it did not significantly affect the adhesion between PC and WS2 and showed its possible implementation as a first surface mirror. Overall, this work provides a scalable, innovative method for improving the durability and reflectivity of polycarbonate-based mirrors, with significant implications for CSP applications.