Selective emitters for thermophotovoltaics: erbia-modified electrospun titania nanofibers

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 85; no. 4; pp. 477 - 488
• Main Authors: Tomer, V., Teye-Mensah, R., Tokash, J.C., Stojilovic, N., Kataphinan, W., Evans, E.A., Chase, G.G., Ramsier, R.D., Smith, D.J., Reneker, D.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrospinning; Energy; Erbia; Exact sciences and technology; Nanofibers; Natural energy; Selective emitters; Solar energy; Thermophotovoltaics; Titania; Selective emitters; Electrospinning; Thermophotovoltaics; Nanofibers; Titania; Erbia; Scanning electron microscopy; Pyrolysis; Anatase; Rutile; Thermophotovoltaic device; Narrow band; Solar energy; Erbium oxides; Infrared spectrum; X ray diffractometry; Crystalline structure
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2004.04.019

Titania nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanofibers were annealed to 773 K to achieve the anatase titania crystal structure, and to 1173 K to obtain the rutile phase. In order to create erbia-containing titania nanofibers, erbium (III) oxide particles were added to the pre-cursor solution before electrospinning. After pyrolysis the titania nanofibers supported and encapsulated the erbia particles. Temperature-dependent near-infrared emission spectra demonstrate that the erbia-containing nanofibers emit selectively in the range 6000–7000 cm −1. Because of their large surface to volume ratios and narrow-band optical emission, these nanofibers can be used as selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic applications.