Query: Solar-energy materials preparation techniques

Candidate papers:

abstract: The application of materials to the thermal control of structures, photothermal/electrical conversion, and photovoltaic conversion are reviewed. Applications include solar and infrared reflectors, optical filters, transparent conductors, bulk semiconductor materials, semiconductor films, and selective solar absorbers. The use of thin films in many conservation and photothermal applications is presently economical, but the economics of photothermal/electrical and photovoltaic conversion is still being investigated. The means of obtaining selective solar absorbers which have a high solar absorptance and low ir emittance are discussed, and specific data on an electrodeposited black chrome selective absorber is presented. It is shown that solar electric generating plants must be constructed at a cost of about $50/m2 to be competitive with other electrical generating plants, and that a meaningful impact on the electrical energy economy will require a fabrication rate of greater than 1.8 x 108 m2 (50 square miles) per year. Present high volume deposition capabilities are reviewed, and it is shown that for some types of deposition, namely electrodeposition, e beam vacuum evaporation, and possibly sputter deposition, facilities exist which approach the desired volumes.
author_names: Dm Mattox
title: Solar energy materials preparation techniques
year: 1975

abstract: Abstract Vacuum adsorption was conducted to fabricate bio based polyethylene glycol (PEG)/wood flour (WF) composites as novel shape stable phase change materials (SSPCMs) The structure property relationships and comprehensive performance of PEG/WF phase change materials (PCMs) prepared with different average molecular weights of PEG and different length to diameter ratios of WF were investigated through various characterization techniques. The relationship between the average molecular weight and mass content of PEG with the properties and structure of the prepared PEG/WF PCMs was evaluated. Leakage test results showed that WF with a high length to diameter ratio (HWF) exhibited much higher adsorption capacity for PEG than that of WF with a low length to diameter ratio (LWF) The maximum adsorption content of PEG was found to be 70 wt% in those PEG/HWF PCMs and both proceeded with excellent shape stability without leakage when the average molecular weight of PEG was more than 4000. The maximum content of PEG1000 in novel PEG/HWF PCMs without any leakage above the melting point of PEG was 75 wt% Fourier transform infrared (FT IR) spectroscopy results indicated that physical interactions occurred between WF and PEG, but chemical reactions did not take place. X ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the crystallization of PEG in SSPCMs decreased. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis demonstrated that the phase transition temperature did not depend on the content and length to diameter ratio of the WF. Simultaneously, the highest melting latent heat of the prepared PEG/HWF SSPCM was 108.6 J/g, and its enthalpy efficiency reached more than 75.05% Thermal cycling test and TGA analysis results demonstrated that PEG/WF SSPCMs had good thermal reliability and chemical stability and showed potential for applications in solar thermal energy storage and biomass energy.
author_names: Xiang Lu

Wei-ping Tu

Zhuohong Yang

Teng Yuan
title: Solvent free preparation of bio based polyethylene glycol/wood flour composites as novel shape stabilized phase change materials for solar thermal energy storage
venue: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
year: 2019

abstract: Latent heat storage systems,using phase change materials(PCMs),is one of effective ways to store thermal energy,which is widely applied in the areas of solar industrial process heat supply,heat recovery in industrial batch processes and energy saving in buildings.Previous research advances on the available phase change heat storage materials are reviewed,and the classification,choice,properties and applications on thermal storage techniques and materials are also presented.Especially,the problem of the classification,preparation route and application of medium temperature PCMs in 100 450temperature range is emphatically considered.An insight of the coming efforts to develop new classes of medium temperature PCMs is provided,and its corresponding prospective applications and developments are anticipated.A favorable proposal on developing the well properties micro/nano structured composite PCMs in future work is presented.
author_names: Wu Jianfen
title: Review on the Medium temperature Phase Change Materials Used for Solar Energy Thermal Storage
year: 2014

abstract: Abstract Optimizing photocatalysts to function within the visible region offers enhanced economics considering that 40% of the sun's energy is in the visible region, compared to just 4% in the UV region. To better utilize available solar flux, nanocomposite materials using TiO2 nanoparticles and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been studied. Separating the SWCNT bundles using surfactants combined with a photo assisted sol gel preparation produced low band gap
author_names: Karishma Piler

Jennifer Watters

Tracy J Benson
title: Band gap tuning of TiO2 NP SWCNT nanocomposite materials using surfactant synthesis techniques
year: 2020

abstract: This review is objectively positioned and aimed at bringing to the fore the advances made in nanotechnology and present knowledge on the preparation (i.e. physicochemical, physicomechanical, and biological procedures) characterization (i.e. the use of several techniques to appraise the particle sizes, crystal geometry, and chemical composition, claims in the agro allied industries (i.e. construction of farm implements) electronics (i.e. glowing materials) medical (i.e. genetically modified plants) renewable energy( i.e. the harvesting of wind, solar and biomass energy in agriculture) oil/gas(i.e. the use of cracked oil in the production of fertilizers) textiles (i.e. weed control by landscape fabric) environmental remediation (i.e. the production of eco friendly materials using solid state fermentation) and the military (i.e. the erection of the military post and farming structures) and public perception on nano based technology. Also, the review has highlighted the positives and negatives in terms of challenges being faced by stakeholders in the nanotechnology sector. A good understanding of the strength (i.e. a steadily growing technology) and weaknesses (i.e. poor labeling and marketing strategy of products based on inadequate legislation) in these sectors as highlighted would provide a driving force for stakeholders to tackle the existing challenges herein.
author_names: D E Egirani

Nabila Shehata

Mohamed Hamdy Khedr
title: A Review of Nano Materials in Agriculture and Allied Sectors: Preparation, Characterization, Applications, Opportunities, and Challenges
year: 2020

abstract: Abstract Erythritol (ME)/polyaniline (PANI) form stable phase change materials (PCMs) were prepared in isopropanol via a simple method. ME was dispersed in the solvent to form suspension at first. Form stable PCMs were then obtained by covering the dispersed ME particles with PANI particles, which in turn were synthesized via surface polymerization of aniline in the solvent. The prepared form stable PCMs were characterized by various characterization techniques. The results showed that the loading of ME in the form stable PCM with good form stability could attain 75% corresponding to a melting enthalpy of about 260 J/g. The supercooling degree of ME in the form stable PCMs was stably suppressed from 103 degC to 60 degC, which was resulted from that the PANI presented a lot of nucleation centers and facilitated the heterogeneous nucleation of ME. The solidification enthalpy of the form stable PCM was improved to 180 J/g, which was 50 J/g higher than that of pristine ME. Accelerated cyclic melting/freezing tests showed that the solidification temperature and the latent heat storage capacity of the prepared form stable PCMs remained stable over 100 melting/freezing cycles. The form stability of the form stable PCMs were originated from that the ME particles were covered by a layer of PANI particles, and the PANI particles could adsorb the liquified ME. This work presented a protocol for preparation of polymer based sugar alcohols form stable PCMs.
author_names: Yu-hang Chen

Liufeng Jiang

Yu Fang

Li Shu

Yu-Xiang Zhang

Ting Xie

Kun Li

Ni Tan

Ling Ling Zhu

Zhong Cao

Ju-lan Zeng
title: Preparation and thermal energy storage properties of erythritol/polyaniline form stable phase change material
venue: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
year: 2019

abstract: Throughout this thesis, samples of various materials with applications in energy converting devices have been prepared by focused ion beam machining and investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Energy converting devices can be solar cells or light emitting diodes, which turn light into electricity or vice versa. They can also be fuel cells or electrolyzer cells, which turn chemical energy into electricity or vice versa. To efficiently convert the energy, these devices require specialized materials. The results achieved by the characterization presented here include identifying twin and grain boundaries, the crystal structure and the chemical composition. The different transmission electron microscopy techniques and sample preparation methods used are explained and discussed. For example, the preparation of nanowires, which are used in solar cells and light emitting diodes, require additional steps to the standard in situ lamella lift out method. The nanowires have to be embedded in a polymer material by casting or spin coating and a frame lamella design is necessary to stabilize the thin region of interest. (Less)
author_names: Filip Lenrick
title: Focused Ion Beam Preparation and Transmission Electron Microscopy of Materials for Energy Applications
year: 2016

abstract: Indium containing visible light driven (VLD) photocatalysts including indiumcontaining oxides, indium containing sulfides, indium containing hydroxides, and other categories have attracted more attention due to their high catalytic activities for oxidation and reduction ability under visible light irradiation. This chapter will therefore concentrate on indium containing nano structured materials that demon strate useful activity under solar excitation in fields concerned with the elimination of pollutants, partial oxidation and the vaporization of chemical compounds, water splitting, and CO2 reduction processes. The indium containing photocatalysts can extend the light absorption range and improve the photocatalytic activity by doping, heterogeneous structures, load promoter, and morphology regulation. A number of synthetic and modification techniques for adjusting the band structure to harvest visible light and improve the charge separation in photocatalysis are discussed. In this chapter, preparation, properties, and potential applications of indium contain ing nano structured materials used as photocatalysis will be systematically summar ized, which is beneficial for understanding the mechanism and developing the potential applications.
author_names: Xiangchao Zhang

Duan Huang

Kaiqiang Xu

Difa Xu

Fang Liu

Shiying Zhang
title: Indium Containing Visible Light Driven (VLD) Photocatalysts for Solar Energy Conversion and Environment Remediation
year: 2016

abstract: Abstract Sustainable solar energy powered desalination is a high priority research area, nowadays. Fresh potable water is one of humanity's fundamental needs for living and flourishing. Efficient techniques for producing pure water from saline water and industrial wastewater with less conventional energy use or using renewable energy are urgently needed. Solar stills are one of such alternatives to produce pure water using solar energy. Novelty of this write up is discussion of basic concepts such as working principle of nanofluid, heat transfer in nanofluid and different preparation methods. These areas are discussed to bring the readers closer to the present scenario of suspended nanostructured engineering materials for solar distillation. Cost analysis with and without suspended nanoparticles are also summarized. Authors have also thrown light on effects of NPs (nanoparticles) on environment and health of living beings as a means to promote this technology. An important result is that nanofluids thermal conductivity is proportional to nanoparticles concentration to a certain limit. So, each nanoparticle has its optimum concentration where thermal conductivity is maximum in order to give maximum yield of pure water.
author_names: Siva Ram Akkala

Ajay Kumar Kaviti

T Arunkumar

Vineet Singh Sikarwar
title: Progress on suspended nanostructured engineering materials powered solar distillation a review
year: 2021

abstract: The shortage of source of energy and the environmental problems promote the quick development of renewable source of energy,of which photovoltaic industry develops most quickly.This paper introduces the development status quo of polysilicon,the basic materials of photovoltaic industry,focusing on review and analysis of the main preparation of solar energy silicon materials and some new techniques,and puts forward some suggestions for the development of polysilicon industry.
author_names: Zhou Xiao-ying
title: Review on the development and preparation of solar energy polysilicon
year: 2010