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Ultrablack, Harsh-Condition-Resistant Micro-Pyramid Graphite Array for Solar Energy Harvesting and Conversion
Huiyong Li1,2, Siyuan Zhou1,3, Mengxi Liu1,3
1CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|May 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a micro-pyramid graphite array (GA) for efficient solar energy capture. This superblack material achieves 99.3% absorbance and enhances thermoelectric generator power density, showing promise for harsh conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Efficient solar energy conversion requires advanced materials with high absorption, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Existing materials often struggle with performance under harsh conditions or complex fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel micro-pyramid graphite array (GA) for efficient solar photothermal conversion.
- To investigate the mechanisms behind the superblack properties and thermal stability of the GA.
- To evaluate the performance of a thermoelectric generator enhanced by the GA under high solar irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of micro-pyramid graphite array (GA) using nanosecond laser etching.
- Surface modification with an anti-reflection layer and a low-refractive-index polymer coating.
- Characterization of solar absorbance (omnidirectional, broadband) and thermal stability.
- Integration of GA with a thermoelectric generator and testing under 10-sun irradiation.
Main Results:
- Optimized GA achieved a high solar absorbance of 99.3% with omnidirectional broadband absorption.
- Superblackness attributed to light-trapping, localized electric field enhancement, and reduced interfacial reflection.
- GA demonstrated superior thermal stability, reaching 300°C under 10-sun irradiation.
- GA-enhanced thermoelectric generator showed a significantly increased output power density of 20 mW cm⁻².
Conclusions:
- The micro-pyramid graphite array is a highly efficient photothermal converter with superblack properties.
- The GA exhibits excellent thermal stability, making it suitable for high-irradiance solar applications.
- The GA significantly boosts thermoelectric generator performance, outperforming existing organic ultrablack materials.
