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Potential of carbon nanohorn-based suspensions for solar thermal collectors

The optical characterization is reported of a new fluid consisting of single-wall carbon nanohorns and ethylene glycol for solar energy applications. Carbon nanohorns play a significant role in enhancing sunlight absorption with respect to the pure base fluid. The obtained results are compared with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2011-11, Vol.95 (11), p.2994-3000
Main Authors: Sani, E., Mercatelli, L., Barison, S., Pagura, C., Agresti, F., Colla, L., Sansoni, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The optical characterization is reported of a new fluid consisting of single-wall carbon nanohorns and ethylene glycol for solar energy applications. Carbon nanohorns play a significant role in enhancing sunlight absorption with respect to the pure base fluid. The obtained results are compared with those obtained for fluids suspending more conventional carbon forms, i.e. carbon-black particles. We found that nanohorn spectral features are far more favorable than those of amorphous carbon for the specific application. This result shows that carbon nanohorn-based nanofluids can be useful for increasing the efficiency and compactness of thermal solar devices, reducing both environmental impact and costs. [Display omitted] ► Single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) in glycol are optically characterized. ► SWCNH considerably enhance sunlight absorption properties of the base fluid. ► SWCNH-nanofluids are compared with more conventional carbon forms. ► SWCNH appear more promising for solar energy than amorphous carbon.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2011.06.011