Ultra-Broadband Polarization-Insensitive MXene-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance Solar Absorber for Solar Thermal Application

Abstract

Solar energy harvesting is well-known in the past time and solar energy is a superlative source of renewable energy. Researchers have many surface plasmon resonance structures examined with different materials and prevent further losses. In this paper, we proposed MXene-based 2D material with a novel shape of resonator used in solar absorbers. The MXene-based solar absorber effectively captures the sunlight and converts it into heat for its strong optical surface plasmon resonance properties, this solar absorber is used as a solar water heating application. A three-layer solar absorber with a novel shape of resonator layer used of 2D material MXene is constructed to detect a perfect absorption level. The upper layer, or resonator, uses MXene, the centre layer, or dielectric layer, uses SiO₂, and the bottom layer, or substrate layer, uses Silver (Ag). With the proposed structure, an average absorption of 94.62% can be attained at the ultra-broadband bandwidth range of 2800 nm. Absorption values exceed more than 92% at a 600 nm and 530 nm bandwidth and over more than 96% at a 400 nm wavelength. This proposed solar absorber achieved 99.99% maximum absorption and wide-angle with polarization-insensitive structure. It would be feasible to study AM performances and variations in parameters related to substrate thickness, resonator thickness, and dielectric layer thickness. Additionally, a 10° gap between the incidence angle changes from 0 to 70°. A proposed paper additionally includes sections on magnetic and electric intensity testing and the comparison table.