A nanofluids and nanocoatings used for solar energy harvesting and heat transfer applications: A retrospective review analysis

Abstract

It is known that harvesting the solar power is key issue in current scenario because of scarcity of non-renewable energy in future days to come. Hence the solar harvesting systems takes an important stand globally. Grabbing the solar energy is difficult task due to low thermal conductivity of fluids which are carrying heat and poor optical coatings of solar power devices. In order to enhance the heat transfer rate of fluids there should be an alternative, such alternative is nanofluid. Nanofluids are having nanoparticles suspended in base fluids stably. This paper critically reviewed and conveyed the up to date literature of usage of nanofluids and nanocoating’s in solar energy harvesting operating in low, medium and high temperature ranges for effectiveness in performance. Further solar energy conversion systems efficiencies can be raised by using the additives in base fluids termed as nanofluids and nano selective coatings for solar concentrators to improve optical performance.