Optical, stability and energy performance of water-based MXene nanofluids in hybrid PV/thermal solar systems

Abstract

Solar thermal collectors have been recognized as promising devices for solar energy harvesting. The absorbing properties of the working fluid are crucial because they can significantly influence the efficiency of the solar thermal collectors. The performance of photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) systems can be optimized by applying nanofluids as working fluids. MXene is a newly developed 2-D nanomaterial that has proven excellent potential in electrical applications with a lack of research in the thermal and optical applications. The present work extensively studied the optical potential of the water/MXene nanofluids with respect to the variation of MXene concentrations (0.0005-0.05 wt. %) and types of surfactant (CTAB or SDBS) used in a hybrid PV/T system. The relationship between the investigated parameters was evaluated through an experimental correlation. The evaluation of the nanofluids in term of the transmittance was conducted through the Rayleigh method. The MXene concentrations and the types of the surfactant play predominant role in the transmittance, absorbance and dispersion stability of the water/MXene nanofluids.

Improved Thermophysical Properties and Energy Efficiency of Aqueous Ionic Liquid/MXene Nanofluid in a Hybrid PV/T Solar System

“…Water, thermal oil, ethylene glycol (EG), and ionic liquid are being employed as conventional working fluids in a hybrid solar PV/T system. Inclusion of solid nanoparticles into the heat transfer fluids can substantially improve optical and thermophysical properties [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. The inclusion of nano-sized solid particles into base fluids, referred to as ‘nanofluids’, significantly alters thermophysical properties of the base liquids especially thermal conductivity [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Advance Optical Properties and Emerging Applications of 2D Materials

“…A similar study was also conducted with MXene based silicone oil nanofluids in increasing thermoelectric efficiency in solar cells (Aslfattahi et al, 2020b). Their optical properties and stability are also exciting to explore because of the wide range of optical absorption spectra offered by the material and the optical filtration of the composite materials (Abdelrazik et al, 2020a). Studies on organic phase change material and MXene structures are novel materials explored for their energy storage and conductivity enhancements (Aslfattahi et al, 2020a).…”

Optical properties and stability of water‐based nanofluids mixed with reduced graphene oxide decorated with silver and energy performance investigation in hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar systems

“…3 Capturing the solar energy as a promising source of renewable energy can be obtained through solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems. 4 The thermal and electrical efficiency of the liquid-based solar PV/T systems can be improved by using water-based nanofluids as an effective medium to absorb the solar radiation consequently. 5 Water was used extensively as a conventional heat transfer fluid (HTF) in solar thermal applications as solar radiation absorber.…”

“…The thermal and electrical efficiency of the liquid‐based solar PV/T systems can be improved by using water‐based nanofluids as an effective medium to absorb the solar radiation consequently 5 . Water was used extensively as a conventional heat transfer fluid (HTF) in solar thermal applications as solar radiation absorber 4 . However, Otanicar et al 6 proved that water with 13% absorption of solar energy radiation is a weak solar absorber.…”