An Experimental Investigation to Determine the Optimal Nanomaterial for Coating a Solar Thermal Absorber Panel

Most solar thermal systems use dull black absorber plates that absorb sun energy. Nanoparticles’ enormous surface area and increased thermal conductivity promote heat transmission, thermal stability, heating, and cooling. This research identifies the best nanoparticle kind and proportion to mix in dull black absorber plate paint to increase heat transfer from the absorber plate. This exploration employs 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% aluminium oxide, copper oxide, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles by mass. Dull black paint with 30% aluminium oxide nanoparticles had the highest average temperature of 55.3 °C in the open environment. This plate also had the largest radiation heat transfer (15 W) and average absorber plate-atmosphere temperature differential (20.9 °C). This study found that dull black paint with 30% aluminium oxide nanoparticles is best for solar thermal device absorber plates. This experimental research advises using 30% aluminium oxide mixed with dull black paint to boost the thermal performance of the absorber plate of solar stills, dryers, cookers, and air heaters.