Zirconium diboride-based nanofluids for solar energy applications

Year: 2021

Authors: Zoli L., Sciti D., Sani E.

Autors Affiliation: CNR ISTEC, Inst Sci & Technol Ceram, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018 Faenza, Italy; CNR INO Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: Direct absorption solar collector (DASC) are being considered of great interest in combination with colloidal systems
consisting of nanoparticles dispersed in suitable liquids, also called nanofluids. Nanofluids are able to carry
out, at the same time, the double function of volumetric solar absorbers and heat transfer media. In this work,
novel ceramic nanoparticles of zirconium diboride (ZrB2) have been synthesized, dispersed in ethanol and
characterized from points of view of microstructure, stability and optical properties. ZrB2 is representative of
the family of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs). Some of their peculiar characteristics, in particular
ultra-refractoriness, high-temperature stability and promising bulk optical properties favourably compared
bulk UHTCs to conventional solid solar absorbers used in Concentrated Solar Power to date. The present work,
for the first time, shows the optical spectra of ZrB2 nanoparticles. We prove the appealing optical properties of
ZrB2 nanofluids for direct-absorption solar thermal collectors. This opens a new application field for UHTCs.

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS

Volume: 322      Pages from: 114981-1  to: 114981-7

More Information: This work is partially funded by the European Union´s Horizon 2020 “Research and innovation programme” under grant agreement No 685594 (C3HARME: Next Generation Ceramic Composites for Harsh Combustion Environment and Space).
KeyWords: Nanofluids,
Borides,
Optical properties,
Direct absorption solar collectors,
Concentrating solar power,
DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114981

Citations: 6
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