Optical nanofluids for direct absorption-based solar-thermal energy harvesting at medium-to-high temperatures

Publication date: September 2019Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Volume 25Author(s): Benwei Fu, Jingyi Zhang, Huanbei Chen, Huaixin Guo, Chengyi Song, Wen Shang, Peng Tao, Tao DengDirect absorption-based solar collectors, which rely on volumetric absorption of sunlight by optical nanofluids, have emerged as a superior way to conventional surface absorption-based collectors for harvesting solar-thermal energy. In this short review, we summarize the recent progress on preparing medium-to-high-temperature solar-thermal nanofluids that can be potentially used in direct absorption-based solar collectors under concentrated solar fluxes. Emphasis is placed on discussing the challenge and strategies to achieve stable dispersion of the optical nanofluids.
Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research