Alternative coating technologies for metal-ceramic nanocomposite films: Potential application for solar thermal absorber

Abstract

Metal-ceramic nanocomposite films for solar absorbers have been obtained by electro-deposition. This coating technique uses a mixed solution of nickel nanoparticles and sub-micron alumina particles. The relative ratio of Ni-to-Al in these films is varied by tuning the concentration of nickel and alumina particles in the starting solution. Three films with different Ni/Al ratio have been prepared and characterized with X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. Even in absence of any heat treatment, significant amount of nickel in metallic state has been found in all three samples.