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Solar Spectral Beam Splitting Simulation of Aluminum-Based Nanofluid Compatible with Photovoltaic Cells

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  • Gang Wang

    (School of Energy Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi 830023, China)

  • Peng Chou

    (Xinjiang Pengyu Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd., Hami 839000, China)

  • Yongxiang Li

    (Xinjiang Pengyu Energy Technology Group Co., Ltd., Hami 839000, China)

  • Longyu Xia

    (School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Ye Liu

    (School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Gaosheng Wei

    (School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems can simultaneously solve PV overheating and obtain high-quality thermal energy through nanofluid spectral splitting technology. However, the existing nanofluid splitting devices have insufficient short-wavelength extinction and stability defects. To achieve the precise matching of the nanofluid splitting performance with the optimal spectral window of the PV/T system, this paper carries out a relevant study on the optical properties of Al nanoparticles and proposes an Al@Ag nanoparticle. The optical behaviors of nanoparticles and nanofluids are numerically analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and the Beer–Lambert law. The results demonstrate that adjusting particle size enables modulation of nanoparticle extinction performance, including extinction intensity and resonance peak range. The Al@Ag core–shell structure effectively mitigates the oxidation susceptibility of pure Al nanoparticles. Furthermore, coating Al nanoparticles with an Ag shell significantly enhances their extinction efficiency in the short-wavelength range (350–640 nm). After dispersing Al nanoparticles into water to form a nanofluid, the transmittance in the short-wavelength range is significantly reduced compared to pure water. Compared to 50 nm pure Al particles, the Al@Ag nanofluid further reduces the transmittance by up to 13% in the wavelength range of 350–650 nm, while having almost no impact on the transmittance in the photovoltaic window (640–1080 nm).

Suggested Citation

  • Gang Wang & Peng Chou & Yongxiang Li & Longyu Xia & Ye Liu & Gaosheng Wei, 2025. "Solar Spectral Beam Splitting Simulation of Aluminum-Based Nanofluid Compatible with Photovoltaic Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2460-:d:1653268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brekke, Nick & Dale, John & DeJarnette, Drew & Hari, Parameswar & Orosz, Matthew & Roberts, Kenneth & Tunkara, Ebrima & Otanicar, Todd, 2018. "Detailed performance model of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal system utilizing selective spectral nanofluid absorption," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 683-693.
    2. Looser, R. & Vivar, M. & Everett, V., 2014. "Spectral characterisation and long-term performance analysis of various commercial Heat Transfer Fluids (HTF) as Direct-Absorption Filters for CPV-T beam-splitting applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1496-1511.
    3. Ju, Xing & Xu, Chao & Han, Xue & Du, Xiaoze & Wei, Gaosheng & Yang, Yongping, 2017. "A review of the concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (CPVT) hybrid solar systems based on the spectral beam splitting technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 534-563.
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