Incorporation of ZnO into CrNi coatings for enhanced solar absorption and corrosion protection for renewable energy development

Abstract The search for costs reduction for renewable energies through parameters optimization is among the priorities in manufacturing technology. In solar collectors, high absorption in low emittance represents the main performance parameter during the characterization of the absorber films. This article provides in-depth study for the co-deposition of Cr and Ni doped by ZnO coatings and their influence on the surface protection correlating it with the absorption of the produced surfaces. Electrodeposition technique was used for the synthesis of selective surfaces based on black chrome absorber films on cupper substrate. Corrosion testing was performed in 3.5Wt % NaCl aqueous solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization tests. Results showed that Cr+Ni+ZnO composite film on Cu exhibited a significant improvement over traditional Cr film, such as surface smoothness, corrosion resistance, bending resistance and high solar absorption.