Enhancement of solar radiation absorption using nanoparticle suspension

The radiation absorption characteristics of a Ni nanoparticle suspension were investigated by spectroscopic transmission measurement. It was demonstrated that the absorption coefficient of the nanoparticle suspension is much higher than that of the base liquid for visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Radiation characteristics predicted by the Mie theory showed good agreement with the increase of absorption coefficient in wavelengths where the base liquid is transparent. It was also confirmed that a new transmittance measurement technique for a liquid sample using a liquid cell with no spacer was quite useful for evaluating a material possessing an extremely strong absorption band. The proposed measurement method and successive Kramers–Kronig analysis were validated by measuring the optical properties of water. The measurement and prediction process of the thermal radiation properties of nanoparticle suspensions developed here could be used in developing direct absorption solar collectors. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved