Enhanced solar energy absorption on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes decorated with gold-palladium bimetallic nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Wang Lingling, Zhu Guihua, Shen Long, Yu Wei, Zhu Dahai, Zhang Yingchun, Zhang Liye, Xie Huaqing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences 2018-01-01
• Series: Thermal Science
• Subjects: nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes; solar thermal; plasmonic nanoparticles; photo-thermal conversion
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-9836/2018/0354-98361800055W.pdf
• ISSN: 0354-9836; 2334-7163

Gold-palladium alloy nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Au-Pd/N-CNT) were prepared by using polyethylene imine reduction method. Polyethylene acts as not only a stabilizing agent, but also a reducing agent, leading to nucleation and growth of nanoparticles on the N-CNT surfaces. All the N-CNT-based nanofluids show broadband absorption across the visible region and near infrared region. The Au-Pd/N-CNT nanofluids absorb more solar irradiation compared with monometallic Pd/N-CNT or Au/N-CNT nanofluid. The photo-thermal conversion efficiency of Au-Pd /N-CNT nanofluids is 62.3%, compared with 53.3% and 57% for Pd/N-CNT and Au/N-CNT, respectively. This enhancement was mainly due to the synergetic effects of N-CNT and Au-Pd alloy nanoparticles.