Plasmon based metal-graphene nanocomposites for effective solar vaporization

• Low-cost, scalable Graphene-Ag composite for effective solar absorption.
• Graphene caped hexagonal Ag nanoparticles for superior thermoplasmonics.
• Efficient with tenfold increase in water evaporation by thermoplasmonics.

Graphene-silver nanoparticle composites for effective solar absorption are prepared by coupling surface plasmon and optical absorption of individual phases as low cost materials. Optoelectronic and morphological properties are studied with varying synthetic conditions to optimize their photothermal response. Plasmonic silver nanoparticles encapsulated in graphene layers act as localized solar heating elements of its surrounding medium, because of which a significant heating is observed. The tested composites are quite stable under prolong exposure to solar radiation and hence may find potential applications in various fields.

The solar active composite based on graphene-silver nanoparticles enables an efficient conversion of solar energy to thermal energy by vigorous vaporization of surrounding fluid.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide