Au nanoparticles supported on Bi2WO6 nanosheets for broad-band absorption and good solar thermal conversion

Min Wang, Lingling Wang, Wei Yu*, Huaqing Xie

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-01269-1

Abstract

Photothermal conversion is one of the most effective ways of absorbing and utilizing solar energy. The key issues of photothermal conversion are seeking for nanofluids with strong and wide-range sunlight harvesting. In this work, near-infrared (NIR) light absorbed Bi2WO6 is first exploited for solar thermal conversion. However, the photothermal conversion efficiency is low owing to its insufficient NIR-light absorption. After coating Au nanoparticles on Bi2WO6 nanosheets, the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Au nanoparticles enable Bi2WO6 show strong optical absorption. Au/Bi2WO6–H2O nanofluids have higher temperature rise and better photothermal conversion efficiency than Bi2WO6 and the base fluid water. The present work not only explore a new way for improving the photothermal conversion efficiency of NIR-light nanofluids, but also help design and prepare novel broad-band sunlight absorption nanofluids.