Enhancement of the efficiency of solar collector by SiO2, TiO2, and ZnO thin films layers

Abstract

Most scientific researchers are motivated to develop alternative energy applications and raise their efficiency as a result of rising global warming and pollution from traditional energy sources. In this study, Nanocoating thin films of ` have been prepared on different substrates (stainless steel 316 L, commercially pure Ti, Si-Wafer(100) and glass). Magnetron sputtering deposition technique at 2.8 × 10–7 Torr vacuum has been used to synthesize the nanocoated thin films. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and UV–visible radiation tests have been used to characterize the thin films deposited. The investigation results showed that the thin films deposited do not have microcracks or defects with a uniform and homogenous structure at 400 nm magnification. It has a nanoparticle grain size of 60–90 nm with a crystal structure for TiO2, SiO2, and ZnO films. ZnO films have coarser grain and more aggregation than the other films. The highest efficiency of the collector was recorded for a collector integrated with ZnO thin-film. The efficiency of the ZnO-coated collector was about 66 % at midday compared to the conventional system (no thin film), which was 39 %.