Optical characterization of hafnium boride and hafnium carbide-based ceramics for solar energy receivers

Year: 2018

Authors: Musa C., Licheri R., Orrù R., Cao G., Balbo A., Zanotto F., Mercatelli L., Sani E.

Autors Affiliation: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica, Chimica e dei Materiali, Unità di Ricerca del Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM) – Università degli Studi di Cagliari, via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; Corrosion and Metallurgy Study Centre “Aldo Daccò”, Engineering Department, University of Ferrara, via G. Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; CNR-ISTEC, Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, I-48018 Faenza, Italy; CNR-INO National Institute of Optics, Largo E. Fermi, 6, I-50125 Firenze, Italy

Abstract: The availability of spectrally-selective, thermally stable and more efficient sunlight absorbers represents a crucial aspect for the development of solar energy technologies able to operate at elevated temperature. In this regard, the optical properties of dense HfB2, HfC, HfB2-SiC and HfB2-HfC-SiC products are assessed, compared and discussed in the present work, in view of the possible utilization of such Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) for thermodynamic solar energy conversion. The materials above are first produced in bulk form by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), starting from ceramic powders preliminarily prepared by Self-propagating Hightemperature Synthesis (SHS), or by reactive-SPS, using elemental reactants. All sintered specimens displayed relative density above 95%, with the composite systems approaching the theoretical density values, due to the beneficial role played by SiC as sintering aid, which also improves the oxidation resistance of the resulting UHTCs. The material composition is found to largely affect the related optical properties, as the SiC addition typically increases solar absorbance and decreases spectral selectivity with respect to pure UHTC boride and carbide phases. A final discussion is given about the best tradeoff material.

Journal/Review: SOLAR ENERGY

Volume: 169      Pages from: 111  to: 119

More Information: This work was performed in the framework of the FIRB2012-SUPERSOLAR (Programma “Futuro in Ricerca”, prot. RBFR12TIT1) project funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research . Thanks are due Mr. Mauro Pucci and Mr. Massimo D’Uva (CNR-INO) for technical support and to Mrs. Roberta Parenti and Mrs. Pasqualina Pipino (CNR-INO) for administrative support.
KeyWords: Borides; Carbides; Ceramic materials; Cermets; Energy conversion; Optical properties; Oxidation resistance; Powders; Silicon carbide; Silicon compounds; Solar absorbers; Solar buildings; Solar energy; Spark plasma sintering; Temperature, Concentrating solar power; Hafnium diboride; Material compositions; Optical characterization; Self-propagating high temperature synthesis; Solar energy technologies; UHTCs; Ultra-high-temperature ceramics, Hafnium compounds, absorbance; ceramics; concentration (composition); energy efficiency; equipment; high temperature; optical property; oxidation; solar power; thermodynamics
DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.04.036

Citations: 21
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