Compositional dependence of optical properties of zirconium, hafnium and tantalum carbides for solar absorber applications

Year: 2016

Authors: Sani E., Mercatelli L., Meucci M., Balbo A., Silvestroni L., Sciti D.

Autors Affiliation: CNR INO Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Ferrara, Corros & Met Study Ctr Aldo Dacco, Dept Engn, G Saragat 1, I-44122 Ferrara, Italy; CNR ISTEC, Inst Sci & Technol Ceram, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018 Faenza, Italy.

Abstract: Besides ultra-refractoriness and favorable mechanical and chemical characteristics, carbides of early transition metals show intrinsic spectral selectivity, making them appealing for high-temperature solar absorber applications. However these kinds of ceramics can be produced using many processing methods resulting in different compositions, density and surface finishing. Thus the present work reports on the systematic study of microstructural, mechanical and optical properties of dense zirconium, hafnium and tantalum carbides as a function of the sintering method (high pressure or pressureless), implying use of 10 or 20 vol% of MoSi2 as sintering aid. The spectral hemispherical reflectance of Zr-, Hf- and Ta-carbides has been measured in the 0.25-16.5 mu m wavelength range and correlated to the surface microstructure and roughness. Room and high temperature fracture strength has been measured as well. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal/Review: SOLAR ENERGY

Volume: 131      Pages from: 199  to: 207

More Information: Part of this activity has been carried out in the framework of the FIRB2012-SUPERSOLAR project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (Programma “Futuro in Ricerca”, prot. RBFR12TIT1). 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). Thanks are due to Mr. M. D’Uva and Mr. M. Pucci (CNR-INO) for technical assistance.
KeyWords: Carbides; Ceramic materials; Finishing; Fracture toughness; Hafnium; High temperature applications; Optical properties; Sintering; Solar energy; Tantalum; Tantalum carbide; Transition metals, Chemical characteristic; Compositional dependence; Concentrating solar power; Early transition metals; Hemispherical reflectance; Room and high temperatures; Solar plant; Ultra-high-temperature ceramics, Solar absorbers, absorbance; ceramics; hafnium; high temperature; microstructure; optical property; power plant; roughness; solar power; tantalum; temperature effect; wavelength; zirconium
DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2016.02.045

Citations: 44
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