Structural and optical properties of copper-coated substrates for solar thermal absorbers

Year: 2016

Authors: Pratesi S., De Lucia M., Meucci M., Sani E.

Autors Affiliation: DIEF Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di S.Marta, 3, I-50139 Firenze, Italy; CNR-INO National Institute of Optics, Largo E. Fermi, 6, I-50125 Firenze, Italy

Abstract: Spectral selectivity, i.e. merging a high absorbance at sunlight wavelengths to a low emittance at the wavelengths of thermal spectrum, is a key characteristics for materials to be used for solar thermal receivers. It is known that spectrally selective absorbers can raise the receiver efficiency for all solar thermal technologies. Tubular sunlight receivers for parabolic trough collector (PTC) systems can be improved by the use of spectrally selective coatings. Their absorbance is increased by deposing black films, while the thermal emittance is minimized by the use of properly-prepared substrates. In this work we describe the intermediate step in the fabrication of black-chrome coated solar absorbers, namely the fabrication and characterization of copper coatings on previously nickel-plated stainless steel substrates. We investigate the copper surface features and optical properties, correlating them to the coating thickness and to the deposition process, in the perspective to assess optimal conditions for solar absorber applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal/Review: SUPERLATTICES AND MICROSTRUCTURES

Volume: 98      Pages from: 342  to: 350

More Information: E.S. gratefully acknowledges the Italian bank foundation “Fondazione Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze” for providing the grant for M.M. within the framework of the “SOLE” and “SOLE-2” projects (pratiche n. 2013.0726 and 2014.0711). Authors thank Dr. Stefano Caporali for help for the thickness measurements, Dr. James Camilleri and Prof. Jonathan Betts for the SEM images.
KeyWords: Black coatings; Chromate coatings; Coatings; Copper; Metal coatings; Nickel coatings; Optical properties; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar heating; Stainless steel; Substrates; Thickness measurement, Black chrome; Concentrating solar power; Copper coatings; Linear-parabolic; Parabolic trough collectors, Solar absorbers
DOI: 10.1016/j.spmi.2016.08.031

Citations: 5
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