Lanthanum hexaboride for solar energy applications

Year: 2017

Authors: Sani E., Mercatelli L., Meucci M., Zoli L., Sciti D.

Autors Affiliation: CNR-INO National Institute of Optics, Largo E. Fermi, 6, I-50125, Firenze, Italy; CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and
Technology for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018, Faenza, Italy

Abstract: We investigate the optical properties of LaB6 – based materials, as possible candidates for solid absorbers in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems. Bulk LaB6 materials were thermally consolidated by hot pressing starting from commercial powders. To assess the solar absorbance and spectral selectivity properties, room-temperature hemispherical reflectance spectra were measured from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared, considering different compositions, porosities and surface roughnesses. Thermal emittance at around 1100 K has been measured. Experimental results showed that LaB6 can have a solar absorbance comparable to that of the most advanced solar absorber material in actual plants such as Silicon Carbide, with a higher spectral selectivity. Moreover, LaB6 has also the appealing characteristics to be a thermionic material, so that it could act at the same time both as direct high-emperature solar absorber and as electron source, significantly reducing system complexity in future concentrating solar thermionic systems and bringing a real innovation in this field.

Journal/Review: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Volume: 7      Pages from: 718-1  to: 718-7

More Information: Part of this activity has been carried out in the framework of the FIRB2012-SUPERSOLAR project RBFR12TIT1 funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. E.S. gratefully acknowledges the Italian bank foundation \”Fondazione Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze\” for supporting this activity within the framework of \”SOLE NANO\” project (pratica no. 2015.0861). Thanks are due to Mr. M. D
KeyWords: Borides; Lanthanum compounds; Thermoonic emission properties; Optical-properties; High-temperature; Single-crystal; Zirconium diboride; LaB6; Absorbers; Cathode; Hafnium; Ceramics
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00749-w

Citations: 44
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