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Title: Microstructure tuning facilitated photo-efficiency enhancement and environmental benign nature of HfO2/Mo/HfO2 multilayer films

Journal Article · · Solar Energy
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Texas at El Paso, TX (United States)
  2. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)

In this work, nano-layered, multilayered films consisting of HfO2(dielectric)/Mo(metal)/HfO2(dielectric), (D/M/D architecture) with controlled layer thickness, chemistry and microstructure were demonstrated for efficient utilization of solar energy with well-designated spectral control. The effect of Mo metal interlayer on the energy performance and efficiency of HfO2/Mo/HfO2 multilayer films made by electron-beam deposition onto silicon and glass substrates has been evaluated. The Mo interlayer thickness [Mo(t)] was varied in the range of 5–25 nm while the top/bottom HfO2 layer thickness was kept constant at ~50 nm. Structural, morphological and optical characterization was performed to understand the effect of Mo(t) induced microstructure on mechanical durability and optical behavior of the D/M/D multilayer films. Structural studies revealed that D/M/D multilayer films with relatively low Mo(t) were amorphous, while higher Mo(t) induces the amorphous-to-nanocrystalline microstructure transformation, which also induces surface roughening effects. The D/M/D multilayer film with Mo(t) = 20 nm, where the nano-columnar morphology of the D-M-D layers are aligned perpendicular to the substrate surface and exhibits the optimum spectral selectivity. Such microstructure and morphological tailoring also facilitates the environmentally friendly (self-cleaning/stain repellent) nature of these multilayer films by the high contact angle (~102°) achieved. Molybdenum interlayer facilitated higher contact angle leads to super-hydrophobic nature of the HfO2/Mo/HfO2 multilayered film surfaces. The low surface roughness values (0.2–0.8 nm), which are primarily due to Mo at the interface, of the HfO2/Mo/HfO2 multilayered films satisfy the general requirements of heat mirror applications. In addition, the microstructure of intermediate Mo layer and HfO2-Mo interfaces significantly control the mechanical properties of D/M/D multilayer films. Optimal mechanical properties (hardness = 30 GPa, elastic modulus = 312 GPa, wear resistance = 0.094, adhesion strength = 2050 µN) have been obtained for Mo(t) = 20 nm D/M/D multilayer film. The mechanical response strongly supports flexible and wear resistive nature of HfO2/Mo/HfO2 multilayer films.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830; ECCS-1509653; DMR-1205302
OSTI ID:
1971626
Journal Information:
Solar Energy, Vol. 166; ISSN 0038-092X
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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