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Selective Solar Absorption of Nanofluids for Photovoltaic/Thermal Collector Enhancement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2015

Natasha E. Hjerrild
Affiliation:
School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sara Mesgari
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Felipe Crisostomo
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Jason A. Scott
Affiliation:
Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Rose Amal
Affiliation:
Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Xuchuan Jiang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
Robert A. Taylor
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Abstract

Selectively-absorbing nanofluids were synthesized and evaluated for spectrum splitting PV/T collector applications. Core-shell silver-silica (Ag-SiO2) nanodiscs and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were suspended in water at varying dilutions and then tested as an optical filter placed between a light source and silicon solar cell. A concentrated Ag-SiO2 solution diluted with an aqueous MWCNT solution yielded higher thermal efficiencies than when diluted by the same volume of water. However, AgSiO2-MWCNT mixtures yielded a lower electrical output than aqueous AgSiO2 dilutions due to the non-selective absorption of MWCNTs. The most concentrated Ag-SiO2 nanofluid (0.026wt%) yielded a peak thermal efficiency of 65%, to deliver the greatest combined efficiency of ∼72%.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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References

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