Thermal performance and mechanical durability of Al2O3/CuO ceramics as solar receiver materials for solar thermal applications

Abstract

This work proposes a new promised high temperature composite material based on black Al2O3/CuO ceramics with simple and low-cost production method. These ceramics will represent the solar receiver material responsible for absorbing the concentrated solar radiation in the solar tower technology. CuO is added to alumina with different content (10–40 wt%) in order to promote its sinterability, enhancing its properties and its performance toward solar energy absorption. A detailed study of the material processing is included. Evaluation of the produced composites in terms of phase composition, densification, and microstructural features is investigated. Moreover, thermal properties and mechanical durability are optimised to ensure the material's sustainability. Results indicated that addition of a small percentage of CuO to Al2O3 has drastically enhanced the different characteristics of alumina regarding its densification, microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties. Composite with 10 wt% CuO gave the highest thermal conductivity, the best thermal emissivity, the lowest thermal expansion, the most outstanding thermal shock resistance and mechanical durability. Hence, Al2O3/CuO composites can be strongly nominated as a promised high temperature solar receiver material.