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Silicon-based spectrally selective emitters with good high-temperature stability on stepped metasurfaces
Yu Zhu1, Guozhi Hou1, Qingyuan Wang1
1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures/School of Electronics Science and Engineering/Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P. R. China. junxu@nju.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|July 13, 2022
Summary
We developed a stable, selective silicon metasurface emitter for solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems. This hybrid emitter demonstrates high absorption and low emission, overcoming key challenges for efficient energy conversion.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) systems offer a path beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit for solar energy conversion.
- Developing spectrally selective emitters with high-temperature stability is crucial for high-performance STPV systems.
- Current challenges include fabricating robust emitters capable of withstanding extreme operating conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a hybrid silicon-based metasurface emitter with enhanced spectral selectivity and thermal stability.
- To address the critical need for reliable emitter components in advanced STPV applications.
- To investigate a simple fabrication process for creating high-performance STPV emitters.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a silicon stepped nanopillar substrate coated with molybdenum.
- Introduction of a controlled silicon nitride (SiN) dielectric layer.
- Characterization of optical properties (absorption, emission) and high-temperature stability.
Main Results:
- Achieved broadband absorption (~95% from 220-2000 nm) and suppressed long-wavelength emission (~19% >5 μm).
- Demonstrated polarization-independent and angle-insensitive spectral properties.
- Verified excellent spectral stability after annealing at 1273 K (Ar) and 1073 K (air).
Conclusions:
- The developed silicon-based metasurface emitter exhibits promising spectral selectivity and exceptional high-temperature stability.
- The hybrid metasurface design offers a viable solution for critical STPV system components.
- This technology presents a strong candidate for practical implementation in solar energy conversion systems.
