The PVA-PA-TiN composite coating with enhanced photothermal performance for solar energy harvesting

To meet the demand for efficient solar energy utilization, the development of highly efficient, scalable solar thermal conversion technologies with wide-spectrum absorption capabilities is essential. This study developed a PVA-PA-TiN composite coating with high-temperature stability using a simple two-step method. Leveraging the synergistic effect of titanium nitride's (TiN's) plasmonic properties and the surface porous structure, the coating achieved an average broadband absorption of 94 % across the 300–2500 nm spectrum. It also exhibited a concentration-dependent photothermal response. Under simulated solar radiation, at a TiN mass fraction of 1.5 %, the surface temperature reached 76 °C. Furthermore, the PVA-PA-TiN composite coating demonstrated rapid de-icing capability, reducing the de-icing time to only 250 s at this TiN content. This technology shows promising potential for applications in solar de-icing, building thermal management, and concentrated solar power systems, providing a scalable approach for economically feasible solar thermal energy collection. This technology shows promising potential for applications in solar de-icing, building thermal management, and concentrated solar power systems, providing a scalable approach for economically feasible solar thermal energy collection.