Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure

Photothermal materials often prioritize solar absorption while neglecting thermal radiation losses, which diminishes thermal radiation conversion efficiency. This study addresses this gap by introducing a germanium (Ge) subwavelength structure (SWS) designed to optimize both solar absorption and inf...

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Main Authors: Jingjun Wu, Kaixuan Wang, Cong Wei, Jun Ma, Hongbo Xu, Wanguo Zheng, Rihong Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/21/5008
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author Jingjun Wu
Kaixuan Wang
Cong Wei
Jun Ma
Hongbo Xu
Wanguo Zheng
Rihong Zhu
author_facet Jingjun Wu
Kaixuan Wang
Cong Wei
Jun Ma
Hongbo Xu
Wanguo Zheng
Rihong Zhu
author_sort Jingjun Wu
collection DOAJ
description Photothermal materials often prioritize solar absorption while neglecting thermal radiation losses, which diminishes thermal radiation conversion efficiency. This study addresses this gap by introducing a germanium (Ge) subwavelength structure (SWS) designed to optimize both solar absorption and infrared emissivity. Using a self-masked reactive ion etching (RIE) technique, we achieved a peak absorption of 98.8% within the 300 nm to 1800 nm range, with an infrared emissivity as low as 0.32. Under solar illumination of 1000 W/m<sup>2</sup>, the structure’s temperature increased by 50 °C, generating a heating power of 800 W/m<sup>2</sup>. Additionally, it demonstrated good mechanical and thermal stability at high temperatures and possessed a hydrophobic angle of 132°, ensuring effective self-cleaning. These characteristics make the Ge SWS suitable for application in solar panels, displays, sensors, and other optoelectronic devices.
format Article
id doaj-art-a0f2f013e1204756874c51ef5de5e374
institution OA Journals
issn 1420-3049
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publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-a0f2f013e1204756874c51ef5de5e3742025-08-20T02:13:18ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-10-012921500810.3390/molecules29215008Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength StructureJingjun Wu0Kaixuan Wang1Cong Wei2Jun Ma3Hongbo Xu4Wanguo Zheng5Rihong Zhu6School of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaSchool of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaSchool of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaSchool of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaMIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaSchool of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaSchool of Electronic and Optical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaPhotothermal materials often prioritize solar absorption while neglecting thermal radiation losses, which diminishes thermal radiation conversion efficiency. This study addresses this gap by introducing a germanium (Ge) subwavelength structure (SWS) designed to optimize both solar absorption and infrared emissivity. Using a self-masked reactive ion etching (RIE) technique, we achieved a peak absorption of 98.8% within the 300 nm to 1800 nm range, with an infrared emissivity as low as 0.32. Under solar illumination of 1000 W/m<sup>2</sup>, the structure’s temperature increased by 50 °C, generating a heating power of 800 W/m<sup>2</sup>. Additionally, it demonstrated good mechanical and thermal stability at high temperatures and possessed a hydrophobic angle of 132°, ensuring effective self-cleaning. These characteristics make the Ge SWS suitable for application in solar panels, displays, sensors, and other optoelectronic devices.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/21/5008photothermal absorptionsubwavelength structureRIE self-masking technique
spellingShingle Jingjun Wu
Kaixuan Wang
Cong Wei
Jun Ma
Hongbo Xu
Wanguo Zheng
Rihong Zhu
Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
Molecules
photothermal absorption
subwavelength structure
RIE self-masking technique
title Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
title_full Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
title_fullStr Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
title_full_unstemmed Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
title_short Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure
title_sort ideal photothermal materials based on ge subwavelength structure
topic photothermal absorption
subwavelength structure
RIE self-masking technique
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/21/5008
work_keys_str_mv AT jingjunwu idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT kaixuanwang idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT congwei idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT junma idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT hongboxu idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT wanguozheng idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure
AT rihongzhu idealphotothermalmaterialsbasedongesubwavelengthstructure