Abstract

Silver nanoparticles modified copper oxide nanocomposite thin films (Ag-CuO NC TFs) and pristine CuO TF were successfully synthesized on copper substrates using a chemical oxidation route. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) characterization of Ag-CuO NC TFs revealed the formation of monoclinic crystal structured CuO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a star-like grain morphology of the Ag-CuO NC TFs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis ascertained the presence of anticipated elements without impurities. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigation confirmed the presence of Ag NPs on CuO in the Ag-CuO NC TFs. Raman spectroscopy examination indicated the presence of a spinel structure with vibrational and tetrahedral sites. UV-Vis-NIR reflectance analysis demonstrated that Ag-CuO NC TFs with 2.0 wt.% Ag NPs exhibited solar absorptance of 72.39 %, thermal emittance of 4.3 %, and a highest solar selectivity of 16.83 among the prepared thin films. These results suggest that the Ag-CuO NC TFs could be promising candidates for use as solar selective absorbers in solar thermal energy conversion devices.