Titanium diboride ceramics for solar thermal absorbers

TL;DR

This study explores titanium diboride ceramics as potential solar thermal absorbers, focusing on their production, microstructure, and optical properties to assess their suitability for solar energy applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel two-step synthesis and sintering process for TiB2 ceramics and evaluates their optical properties for solar absorber use.

Findings

TiB2 ceramics show high hemispherical reflectance in the solar spectrum.

The production method yields nearly fully dense TiB2 with favorable microstructure.

Optical characterization indicates potential for solar thermal applications.

Abstract

Titanium diboride (TiB2) is a low-density refractory material belonging to the family of ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). This paper reports on the production and microstructural and optical characterization of nearly fully dense TiB2, with particular interest to its potential utilization as novel thermal solar absorber. Monolithic bulk samples are produced starting from elemental reactants by a two-step method consisting of the Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) followed by the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of the resulting powders. The surface of obtained samples has-been characterized from the microstructural and topological points of view. The hemispherical reflectance spectrum has been measured from 0.3 to 15 um wavelength, to evaluate the potential of this material as solar absorber for future concentrating solar plants.