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Black Copper Oxide selective solar surface on steel, any methods?

Hello,

I am currently designing thermal solar panels with AISI 1010 Cold rolled steel sheet and/or 304 Stainless steel sheets. To apply a final black selective coating we are considering a black copper oxide CuO surface finish. We are considering electroplating the collector with copper first and then oxidizing this surface to get the final CuO coating.

I understand that there are two typical paths to achieving this. Heating copper in the presence of oxygen and submerging copper in a hot alkaline solution. The first method is not very viable because this could remove any heat treatment / cold work in the steel sheet.

Can anyone guide me to appropriate oxidizing solutions, temperatures, times ,etc? Maybe an article or book , or personal experience?

Also, would this CuO coating be resistant? Do you know of a simpler black solar selective coating for CR Steel or Stainless steel?

Thank you!

David Ruiz
- Bogotá, Colombia
August 22, 2008

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Hi David,

Solar Thermal Engineering ⇨
by Duffie and Beckman contains the different processes for selective solar coatings. It is best to buy the process from a supplier, however.
www.solchrome.com might be useful.

cheers
Chakrawarthy Ravuri

Srinivasa Ravuri
solar energy researcher - Secunderabad, AP, India
September 16, 2008