Pt-Al2O3 nanocoatings for high temperature concentrated solar thermal power applications

Nano-phased structures based on metal-dielectric composites, also called cermets (ceramic-metal), are considered among the most effective spectral selective solar absorbers. For high temperature applications (stable up to 650 degrees C) noble metal nanoparticles and refractory oxide host matrices are ideal as per their high temperature chemical inertness and stability: Pt/Al2O3 cermet nano-composites are a representative family. This contribution reports on the optical properties of Pt/Al2O3 cermet nano-composites deposited in a multilayered tandem structure. The radio-frequency sputtering optimized Pt/Al2O3 solar absorbers consist of stainless steel substrate/ Mo coating layer/ Pt-Al2O3/ protective Al2O3 layer and stainless steel substrate/ Mo coating layer /Pt-Al2O3 for different composition and thickness of the Pt-Al2O3 cermet coatings. The microstructure, morphology, theoretical modeling and optical properties of the coatings were analyzed by the x-ray diffraction, atomic force, microscopy, effective medium approximation and UV-vis specular and diffuse reflectance. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.