A numerical approach for optimizing ultrawideband absorber performance with MXene multilayer metamaterials for solar engineering applications

Abstract

This study introduced advanced metamaterials for efficient solar energy harvesting. The multilayered structure explores different metallic materials, such as gold (Au), Tungsten (W), MXene, Fe, and Cu, to absorb electromagnetic waves throughout a wide range of wavelengths in the near-infrared spectrum. These materials were designed and simulated through the finite element method (FEM) method to work perfectly and harmoniously to maximize the efficient amount of solar irradiance into thermophotovoltaic cells, which can then be converted into electricity through the proposed solar absorbers. Quantitatively enhances high absorptivity on the localized metallic surface within the plasmonic resonance structure by designing and optimizing a metamaterial solar absorber of a geometrically multilayered structure. This study explores using MXene-based metamaterials (MTM) for solar energy absorption. MXene, a 2D material, can be combined with other materials, such as gold, silicon dioxide, and tungsten, to create efficient solar absorbers. These materials have specific properties that contribute to their effectiveness in capturing and converting sunlight into energy. The proposed design involves a multilayer structure with gold-based substrate metasurfaces to ensure efficient absorption at a wide angle of incident angles (60⁰). The proposed absorber can be used for the effective thermal energy harvesting solution and a wide band infrared and visible light absorber structure. The proposed results and numerical investigation can help identify suitable material geometries for effective wideband infrared/visible/UV light absorbers and thermal harvesting structures.