Selective emitter materials and designs for high-temperature thermophotovoltaic applications

Abstract

In this manuscript, we review the role of selective emitters and filter materials in designs for thermophotovoltaics. After a brief review of the basics of thermophotovoltaics, we present a detailed discussion of options for highly-selective thermal emitters, highly-selective filters, and the interactions between them. We present a comprehensive analysis of 26 state-of-the-art selective emitters and discuss the particular advantages of each type of design strategy. We then discuss the fundamentals of materials stability, and how they can inform multilayer designs. We summarize the major challenges of current thermophotovoltaics with comparison to other competing energy conversion technologies. We then conclude with a summary and future perspectives on the prospects for highly-selective thermal emitters and filters. • We provide a detailed performance database for 26 state-of-the-art TPV emitters. • We compare the emitters side-by-side, analyzing the advantages for each design. • We discuss typical TPV emitters/filters structures and their interaction. • We explain how the fundamentals of materials stability affect TPV multilayer designs. • We provide perspectives on the prospects and challenges for TPV emitters and filters.