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Flexible thin-film black gold membranes with ultrabroadband plasmonic nanofocusing for efficient solar vapour generation

Author

Listed:
  • Kyuyoung Bae

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University)

  • Gumin Kang

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University)

  • Suehyun K. Cho

    (Computer & Energy Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering Program, University of Colorado)

  • Wounjhang Park

    (Computer & Energy Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering Program, University of Colorado)

  • Kyoungsik Kim

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University)

  • Willie J. Padilla

    (Duke University)

Abstract

Solar steam generation has been achieved by surface plasmon heating with metallic nanoshells or nanoparticles, which have inherently narrow absorption bandwidth. For efficient light-to-heat conversion from a wider solar spectrum, we employ adiabatic plasmonic nanofocusing to attain both polarization-independent ultrabroadband light absorption and high plasmon dissipation loss. Here we demonstrate large area, flexible thin-film black gold membranes, which have multiscale structures of varying metallic nanoscale gaps (0–200 nm) as well as microscale funnel structures. The adiabatic nanofocusing of self-aggregated metallic nanowire bundle arrays produces average absorption of 91% at 400–2,500 nm and the microscale funnel structures lead to average reflection of 7% at 2.5–17 μm. This membrane allows heat localization within the few micrometre-thick layer and continuous water provision through micropores. We efficiently generate water vapour with solar thermal conversion efficiency up to 57% at 20 kW m−2. This new structure has a variety of applications in solar energy harvesting, thermoplasmonics and related technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyuyoung Bae & Gumin Kang & Suehyun K. Cho & Wounjhang Park & Kyoungsik Kim & Willie J. Padilla, 2015. "Flexible thin-film black gold membranes with ultrabroadband plasmonic nanofocusing for efficient solar vapour generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10103
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10103
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    Cited by:

    1. Mu, L. & Chen, L. & Lin, L. & Park, Y.H. & Wang, H. & Xu, P. & Kota, K. & Kuravi, S., 2021. "An overview of solar still enhancement approaches for increased freshwater production rates from a thermal process perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    2. Huang, Jian & He, Yurong & Hu, Yanwei & Wang, Xinzhi, 2018. "Steam generation enabled by a high efficiency solar absorber with thermal concentration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1282-1291.
    3. Ma, Xiaolu & Zhao, Jin & Wang, Run & Li, Yuyao & Liu, Chuanyong & Liu, Yong, 2022. "Multi-angle wide-spectrum light-trapping nanofiber membrane for highly efficient solar desalination," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    4. Huang, Qichen & Liang, Xuechen & Yan, Chongyuan & Liu, Yizhen, 2021. "Review of interface solar-driven steam generation systems: High-efficiency strategies, applications and challenges," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    5. Yajie Hu & Hongyun Ma & Mingmao Wu & Tengyu Lin & Houze Yao & Feng Liu & Huhu Cheng & Liangti Qu, 2022. "A reconfigurable and magnetically responsive assembly for dynamic solar steam generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Arunkumar, T. & Wang, Jiaqiang & Denkenberger, D., 2021. "Capillary flow-driven efficient nanomaterials for seawater desalination: Review of classifications, challenges, and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    7. Lv, Song & Ren, Juwen & Zhang, Qilong & Zhang, Bolong & Lai, Yin & Yang, Jiahao & Chang, Zhihao & Zhan, Zhipeng, 2023. "Design, fabrication and performance analysis of a cost-effective photovoltaic interface seawater desalination hybrid system for co-production of electricity and potable water," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    8. Huang, Jian & He, Yurong & Chen, Meijie & Wang, Xinzhi, 2019. "Separating photo-thermal conversion and steam generation process for evaporation enhancement using a solar absorber," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 244-252.
    9. Yu, Zhen & Cheng, Shaoan & Gu, Ruonan & Li, Yihang & Dai, Shaoling & Mao, Zhengzhong, 2021. "Interfacial solar evaporator for clean water production and beyond: From design to application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    10. Fan, Qi & Wu, Lin & Liang, Yan & Xu, Zhicheng & Li, Yungeng & Wang, Jun & Lund, Peter D. & Zeng, Mengyuan & Wang, Wei, 2021. "The role of micro-nano pores in interfacial solar evaporation systems – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    11. Xin Jin & Guiping Lin & Haichuan Jin, 2021. "Experimental Investigations on Steam Generation in Nanofluids under Concentrated Solar Radiation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, July.
    12. Li, Haoran & He, Yurong & Liu, Ziyu & Jiang, Baocheng & Huang, Yimin, 2017. "A flexible thin-film membrane with broadband Ag@TiO2 nanoparticle for high-efficiency solar evaporation enhancement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 210-219.
    13. Zhou, Zhaozixuan & Gong, Junyao & Zhang, Chunhua & Tang, Wenyang & Wei, Bangyang & Wang, Jiandong & Fu, Zhuan & Li, Li & Li, Wenbin & Xia, Liangjun, 2023. "Hierarchically porous carbonized Pleurotus eryngii based solar steam generator for efficient wastewater purification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    14. Wang, Xinzhi & He, Yurong & Liu, Xing & Cheng, Gong & Zhu, Jiaqi, 2017. "Solar steam generation through bio-inspired interface heating of broadband-absorbing plasmonic membranes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 414-425.

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