Comparison of Two Measurement Methods for Scattering and Absorption Coefficients in Boron Carbide Nanodispersions

Year: 2025

Authors: Mercatelli L., Martina M.R., Vallejo J.P., Lugo L., Sani E.

Autors Affiliation: Natl Res Council Italy CNR, Natl Inst Opt INO, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Vigo, Dept Deseno Enxeneria, Escola Enxeneria Ind, Vigo 36310, Spain; Univ Vigo, Dept Fis Aplicada, Vigo 36310, Spain.

Abstract: Nanoparticles suspended in a liquid alter the properties of the base liquid, expanding its fields of application. Nanodispersions can have several applications in solar energy, including serving as liquid sunlight absorbers, acting as optical filters in optics, or functioning as heat transfer fluids in solar thermal applications. However, for a precise evaluation of their use in a specific field, their properties must be carefully assessed. In this work, we use two different methods for the determination of the optical scattering and absorption coefficients of a nanodispersion of boron carbide (B4C), and we compare the obtained results. Monochromatic measurements are performed at 635, 685, 730, and 830 nm, utilizing a technique that relies on the theory of optical scattering in an infinite medium. They are compared with spectrally resolved measurements of ballistic and total transmittance in the wavelength range of 400-850 nm, obtained using a spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. The two methods are consistent and give results in good agreement. We also found that the mean radius of nanoparticles is higher than expected, confirming the non-negligible scattering.

Journal/Review: NANOMATERIALS

Volume: 15 (20)      Pages from: 1598-1  to: 1598-13

More Information: Network 4 Energy Sustainable Transition-NEST, Spoke 1, Project code PE0000021, funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.3-Call for tender No. 1561 of 11.10.2022 of Ministero dell’Universita e della Ricerca (MUR), funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU.; Grant PID2020-112846RB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; EU COST Action CA15119: Overcoming Barriers to Nanofluids Market Uptake, Nanouptake; and EU COST Innovators Grant CIG15119: Nanofluids for Convective Heat Transfer Devices, NANOConVEX. Thanks are due to CNR-INO administrative staff members Francesca Usala, Antonella Alessi, and Roberta Parenti for their support in project administration.
KeyWords: nanodispersion; spectral scattering coefficient; boron carbide nanofluid; extinction coefficient
DOI: 10.3390/nano15201598