Method for preparing multilayer structures containing a perfluorinated copolymer resin layer

1. A method for preparing a transparent multilayer film laminate comprising at least a first film layer and a second film layer, the method comprising:

A. providing a first film layer comprising a perfluorinated copolymer resin composition wherein i) the perfluorinated copolymer resin consists essentially of copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and at least one perfluorinated comonomer at least one surface of the first film layer has been modified by a surface treatment;

B. providing a second film layer comprising a polymeric material comprising a blend of i) an organosilane and ii) a copolymer comprising copolymerized units of an α-olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester;

C. contacting a surface of the second film layer with the modified surface of the first film layer; and

D. adhering the first film layer to the second film layer by the application of heat and optionally pressure or vacuum to form a multilayer film laminate;

wherein the multilayer film laminate is characterized by (i) having an average peel strength between the first film layer and the second film layer of greater than 2 lbf/in, measured after exposing the multilayer film laminate to conditions of 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for 1000 hours; and (ii) having a light transmission level, as a percentage of the light transmitted through air at wavelengths from 400 to 800 nm, as determined according to methods in ASTM E424, that exceeds that of a comparison standard laminate wherein the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate have the same structure and composition with the exception that the first film layer of the comparison standard laminate comprises an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, the compositions of the first film layers of the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate being otherwise identical.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein the ester copolymer comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and copolymerized units of an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl methacrylate or combinations thereof.

3. A method of claim 2 wherein the ester copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an alkyl acrylate.

4. A method of claim 3 wherein the alkyl acrylate is butyl acrylate.

5. A method of claim 1 wherein the organosilane is an aminosilane.

6. A method of claim 1 wherein the modified surface of the first film layer is treated with an aminosilane prior to contacting the surface of the second film layer.

7. A method for preparing a photovoltaic module, the method comprising the steps:

A. providing a solar cell layer;

B. providing a transparent multilayer film laminate that is larger in area than the solar cell layer, the multilayer film laminate comprising at least a first film layer and a second film layer, wherein ;

1. the first film layer comprises a perfluorinated copolymer resin composition wherein i) the perfluorinated copolymer resin consists essentially of copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and at least one perfluorinated comonomer and ii) at least one surface of the first film layer has been modified by a surface treatment;

2. the second film layer comprises a polymeric material comprising a blend of i) an organosilane and ii) a copolymer comprising copolymerized units of an α-olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester; and

3. wherein the multilayer film laminate is characterized by (i) having an average peel strength between the first film layer and the second film layer of greater than 2 lbf/in, measured after exposing the multilayer film laminate to conditions of 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for 1000 hours; and (ii) having a light transmission level, as a percentage of the light transmitted through air at wavelengths from 400 to 800 nm, as determined according to methods in ASTM E424, that exceeds that of a comparison standard laminate wherein the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate have the same structure and composition with the exception that the first film layer of the comparison standard laminate comprises an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, the compositions of the first film layers of the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate being otherwise identical;

C. overlaying the solar cell layer with the multilayer film laminate such that

1. a surface of the second film layer of the multilayer film laminate contacts the solar cell layer;

2. a portion of the second film layer of the multilayer film laminate extends beyond the perimeter of the solar cell layer; and

3. the portion of the second film layer of the multilayer film laminate that extends beyond the perimeter of the solar cell layer contacts another layer that is an encapsulant layer; and

D. adhering the second film layer of the multilayer film laminate to the solar cell layer and the encapsulant layer by the application of heat and optionally pressure or vacuum to provide a photovoltaic module.

8. A method of claim 7 wherein the encapsulant layer comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of ethylene ethylenenically unsaturated acid copolymers, ionomers of ethylene ethylenenically unsaturated acid copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, poly(vinyl acetals), polyurethanes, polyvinylchlorides, polyethylenes, polyolefin block copolymer elastomers, copolymers of α-olefins and ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters, silicone elastomers, epoxy resins, and combinations of two or more thereof.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein an additional layer is adhered to the surface of the encapsulant layer opposite the surface that contacts portions of the surface of the second film layer.

10. A method for preparing a photovoltaic module comprising a multilayer laminate, the method comprising the steps:

A. providing a solar cell layer;

B. providing a first film layer comprising a perfluorinated copolymer resin composition wherein i) the perfluorinated copolymer resin consists essentially of copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and at least one perfluorinated comonomer and ii) at least one surface of the first film layer has been modified by a surface treatment;

C. providing a second film layer having an upper and lower surface, the second film layer being larger in area than the solar cell layer, wherein the second film layer comprises a polymeric material comprising a blend of i) an organosilane and ii) a copolymer comprising copolymerized units of an α-olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester;

D. contacting a modified surface of the first film layer with the upper surface of the second film layer;

E. contacting the solar cell layer with the second film layer such that

1. the lower surface of the second film layer contacts the solar cell layer;

2. a portion of the second film layer extends beyond the perimeter of the solar cell layer; and

3. the portion of the second film layer that extends beyond the perimeter of the solar cell layer contacts another layer that is an encapsulant layer; and

F. adhering the second film layer to the first film layer and to the encapsulant layer by the application of heat and optionally pressure or vacuum to provide a photovoltaic module;

wherein the multilayer film laminate is characterized by (i) having an average peel strength between the first film layer and the second film layer of greater than 2 lbf/in, measured after exposing the multilayer film laminate to conditions of 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for 1000 hours with the proviso that when the encapsulant layer comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, the multilayer film laminate is maintained at a sufficient temperature for a time sufficient to crosslink the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer prior to exposing the multilayer film laminate to conditions of 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for 1000 hours; and (ii) having a light transmission level, as a percentage of the light transmitted through air at wavelengths from 400 to 800 nm, as determined according to methods in ASTM E424, that exceeds that of a comparison standard laminate wherein the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate have the same structure and composition with the exception that the first film layer of the comparison standard laminate comprises an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, the compositions of the first film layers of the multilayer film laminate and the comparison standard laminate being otherwise identical.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the ester copolymer comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and copolymerized units of an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl methacrylate or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the ester copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an alkyl acrylate.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the alkyl acrylate is butyl acrylate.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the organosilane is an aminosilane.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the modified surface of the first film layer is treated with an aminosilane prior to contacting the surface of the second layer.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein an additional layer is adhered to the surface of the encapsulant layer opposite the surface that contacts portions of the surface of the second layer.