Broadband absorbing mono, blended and hybrid nanofluids for direct absorption solar collector: a comprehensive review

Abstract

The evolution of nanofluids over the years has opened new research opportunities in the field of renewable energy. Research on the optical properties of nanofluids for application in direct absorption solar collectors (DASCs) is progressing at a burgeoning speed. In a DASC system, nanofluid with high optical absorptivity can convert the incident solar energy into the thermal energy of the fluid. The dispersed nanoparticles in the fluid act in the process through the phenomenon of absorption and scattering. Studies conducted on the optical property characterization of monocomponent nanofluids have become saturated. Moreover, the photothermal efficiency (PTE) of the nanofluid can be enhanced by using multicomponent nanofluids. Nanofluids prepared using varying materials, shapes and sizes of nanoparticles can tune the absorption spectra of the bulk fluid to improve the PTE. A hybrid nanocomposite can similarly enhance the absorptivity due to the synergy of materials present in the nanocomposite particle. In this review, a comprehensive survey on the synthesis and optical characterization of different monocomponent, blended and hybrid nanocomposite nanofluids has been performed.