Ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) had emerged as promising materials for solar thermal receivers due to their unique properties, including excellent thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, high corrosion resistance, and superior mechanical properties, all of which enhanced the performance and durability of solar thermal receivers. Additionally, their lightweight nature, achieved through the use of ceramic matrix composites, optimized overall system performance. Various types of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites had been assessed for their applicability in solar thermal receivers, such as alumina, zirconia, mullite, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTCs). Consequently, advanced ceramic matrix composites, novel coating technologies, and innovative manufacturing techniques were explored to further optimize the efficiency and reliability of solar thermal receivers. Innovative ceramic matrix composites, such as alumina/silicon carbide and silicon carbide/silicon carbide (SiC/SiC), were examined for their superior mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. Moreover, the utilization of a novel class of fiber-reinforced ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites, which featured improved optical properties, high mechanical strength at elevated temperatures, thermal shock resistance, and lightweight characteristics, created opportunities for advancing solar thermal receiver design and optimizing performance as solar absorber materials.
RafiqueMMRehmanSAlhemsLM. Recent advancements in high-temperature solar particle receivers for industrial decarbonization. Sustainability2024; 16: 103.
2.
Pitz-PaalR. Solar energy–concentrating solar power. In: Future energy. Cambridge, UK: Elsevier, 2014, pp.405–431.
3.
BoeremaNMorrisonGTaylorR, et al.High temperature solar thermal central-receiver billboard design. Sol Energy2013; 97: 356–368.
4.
ApràFMSmitSSterlingR, et al.Overview of the enablers and barriers for a wider deployment of CSP tower technology in Europe. Clean Technol2021; 3: 377–394.
5.
PowerCS. Technology Roadmap. 2010.
6.
BelmonteM. Advanced ceramic materials for high temperature applications. Adv Eng Mater2006; 8: 693–703.
7.
VolkmannETushtevKKochD, et al.Assessment of three oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composites: mechanical performance and effects of heat treatments. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2015; 68: 19–28.
8.
WilsonDVisserL. High performance oxide fibers for metal and ceramic composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2001; 32: 1143–1153.
9.
ChawlaKKChawlaKK. Ceramic matrix composites. J Compos Mater Sci Eng2012: 249–292.
10.
ZhangHBaeyensJDegrèveJ, et al.Concentrated solar power plants: review and design methodology. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2013; 22: 466–481.
11.
TorresJFPetrakopoulouF. A closer look at the environmental impact of solar and wind energy. Glob Chall2022; 6: 2200016.
12.
SainiPSinghSKajalP, et al.A review of the techno-economic potential and environmental impact analysis through life cycle assessment of parabolic trough collector towards the contribution of sustainable energy. Heliyon2023; 9: e17626.
13.
ColladoFJGuallarJ. A review of optimized design layouts for solar power tower plants with campo code. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2013; 20: 142–154.
14.
KamelSAgyekumEBAdebayoTS, et al.Comparative analysis of Rankine cycle linear Fresnel reflector and solar tower plant technologies: techno-economic analysis for Ethiopia. Sustainability2022; 14: 1677.
15.
LiLZhangYLiH, et al.An optimized approach for solar concentrating parabolic dish based on particle swarm optimization-genetic algorithm. Heliyon2024; 10: e26165.
16.
DuttaP. High temperature solar receiver and thermal storage systems. Appl Therm Eng2017; 124: 624–632.
17.
VignaroobanKXuXArvayA, et al.Heat transfer fluids for concentrating solar power systems–a review. Appl Energy2015; 146: 383–396.
18.
CalderónABarrenecheCPalaciosA, et al.Review of solid particle materials for heat transfer fluid and thermal energy storage in solar thermal power plants. Energy Storage2019; 1: e63.
19.
JiangYLiuMSunY. Review on the development of high temperature phase change material composites for solar thermal energy storage. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2019; 203: 110164.
20.
FigajR. Performance assessment of a renewable micro-scale trigeneration system based on biomass steam cycle, wind turbine, photovoltaic field. Renew Energy2021; 177: 193–208.
21.
MittelmanGEpsteinM. A novel power block for CSP systems. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2010; 84: 1761–1771.
22.
IslamMTHudaNAbdullahAB, et al.A comprehensive review of state-of-the-art concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies: current status and research trends. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2018; 91: 987–1018.
23.
GauchéPRudmanJMabasoM, et al.System value and progress of CSP. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2017; 152: 106–139.
24.
SalviSSBhallaVTaylorRA, et al.Technological advances to maximize solar collector energy output: a review. J Electron Packag2018; 140: 040802.
25.
ShiLWangXHuY, et al.Solar-thermal conversion and steam generation: a review. Appl Therm Eng2020; 179: 115691.
26.
GaafarAEZobaaAF. Economical design of a two-axis tracking system for solar collectors. 2016.
27.
DesaiNBBandyopadhyayS. Line-focusing concentrating solar collector-based power plants: a review. Clean Technol Environ Policy2017; 19: 9–35.
28.
KalogirouSA. A detailed thermal model of a parabolic trough collector receiver. Energy Environ Sci2012; 48: 298–306.
29.
PlatzerWJMillsDGardnerW. Linear Fresnel Collector (LFC) solar thermal technology. In: Concentrating solar power technology. Cambridge, UK: Elsevier, 2021, pp.165–217.
30.
HoCK. Advances in central receivers for concentrating solar applications. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2017; 152: 38–56.
31.
LovegroveKSteinW. Concentrating solar power technology: principles, developments and applications. 2012.
32.
El-MaddahAEl-AmirAEwaisE, et al.Sialon-based composites for solar receivers: an overview. International Journal of Materials Technology and Innovation2021; 1: 77–88.
33.
Avila-MarinAL. Volumetric receivers in solar thermal power plants with central receiver system technology: a review. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2011; 85: 891–910.
34.
LiuBWangCBazriS, et al.Optical properties and thermal stability evaluation of solar absorbers enhanced by nanostructured selective coating films. Powder Technol2021; 377: 939–957.
35.
BenoitHSpreaficoLGauthierD, et al.Review of heat transfer fluids in tube-receivers used in concentrating solar thermal systems: properties and heat transfer coefficients. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2016; 55: 298–315.
36.
HoCKIversonBD. Review of high-temperature central receiver designs for concentrating solar power. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2014; 29: 835–846.
37.
de la CalleABayonAPyeJ. Techno-economic assessment of a high-efficiency, low-cost solar-thermal power system with sodium receiver, phase-change material storage, and supercritical CO2 recompression Brayton cycle. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2020; 199: 885–900.
38.
KudirkaASmoakR. Ceramic technology for solar thermal receivers. 1983.
39.
GuillonO. Advanced ceramics for energy conversion and storage. Cambridge, UK: Elsevier, 2019.
40.
MorrisDGLópez-DelgadoAPadillaI, et al.Selection of high temperature materials for concentrated solar power systems: property maps and experiments. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2015; 112: 246–258.
41.
TenneryVJWeberG. Assessment of materials for use in a solar ceramic receiver for chemical process heat. Oak Ridge, TN: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), 1979.
42.
AshbrookRL. Improved performance of silicon nitride-based high temperature ceramics. In: Mater. Show and Conf. 1977.
43.
HasselmanDSinghJSatyamurthyK. Identification and analysis of factors affecting thermal shock resistance of ceramic materials in solar receivers. 1980.
44.
AhmedYZakiZIBesisaDHA, et al.Effect of zirconia and iron on the mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiC composites processed using combined self-propagating synthesis and direct consolidation technique. Mater Sci Eng A2017; 696: 182–189.
45.
WuJZhangYXuX, et al.A novel in-situ β-Sialon/Si3N4 ceramic used for solar heat absorber. Ceram Int2015; 41: 14440–14446.
46.
BesisaDHEwaisEMMohamedHH. Thermal performance and mechanical durability of Al2O3/CuO ceramics as solar receiver materials for solar thermal applications. Ceram Int2022; 48: 23609–23617.
47.
BesisaDHEwaisEMMMohamedEA, et al.Inspection of thermal stress parameters of high temperature ceramics and energy absorber materials. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2019; 203: 110160.
48.
ChenJTorresJFHosseiniS, et al.High-temperature optical and radiative properties of alumina–silica-based ceramic materials for solar thermal applications. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2022; 242: 111710.
49.
SommersAWangQHanX, et al.Ceramics and ceramic matrix composites for heat exchangers in advanced thermal systems—A review. Appl Therm Eng2010; 30: 1277–1291.
50.
OrtonaAFendTYuHW, et al.Tubular Si-infiltrated SiCf/SiC composites for solar receiver application—Part 1: fabrication by replica and electrophoretic deposition. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2015; 132: 123–130.
51.
BauxAGoillotAJacquesS, et al.Synthesis and properties of macroporous SiC ceramics synthesized by 3D printing and chemical vapor infiltration/deposition. J Eur Ceram Soc2020; 40: 2834–2854.
52.
ChaugulePSDuWKamathRR, et al.Reliability comparisons between additively manufactured and conventional SiC–Si ceramic composites. J Am Ceram Soc2024; 105: 3117–3133.
53.
ZoliLFaillaSSaniE, et al.Novel ceramic fibre-Zirconium diboride composites for solar receivers in concentrating solar power systems. Compos B Eng2022; 242: 110081.
54.
OtitojuTAUgochukwu OkoyePChenG, et al.Advanced ceramic components: materials, fabrication, and applications. J Ind Eng Chem2020; 85: 34–65.
55.
WuJFZhangYXXuXH, et al.Preparation and Performance of β-Sialon/Si3N4 Composite Ceramics for Solar Heat Absorber. Appl Mech Mater2014; 692: 234–239.
56.
YoonD-HReimanisIE. A review on the joining of SiC for high-temperature applications. J Korean Ceram Soc2020; 57: 246–270.
57.
WangHGaoLGuoJ. The effect of nanoscale SiC particles on the microstructure of Al2O3 ceramics. Ceram Int2000; 26: 391–396.
58.
ShiXXuFMZhangZJ, et al.Mechanical properties of hot-pressed Al2O3/SiC composites. Mater Sci Eng A2010; 527: 4646–4649.
59.
ParchovianskýMGalusekDSedláčekJ, et al.Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot pressed Al2O3/SiC nanocomposites. J Eur Ceram Soc2013; 33: 2291–2298.
XuXLaoXWuJ, et al.Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3/SiC composite ceramics via carbothermal reduction of aluminosilicate precursor for solar sensible thermal storage. J Alloys Compd2016; 662: 126–137.
62.
WuJDingCXuX, et al.Effects of Gd2O3 and Yb2O3 on the microstructure and performances of O'-Sialon/Si3N4 ceramics for concentrated solar power. Ceram Int2021; 47: 5054–5060.
63.
MahavarSKhanMSYadavT. Synthesis, characterization and testing of black metal oxide nanoparticles as solar concentrator receiver material. Mater Today Proc2019; 8: 22–27.
64.
WuJZhangYXuX, et al.Thermal shock resistance and oxidation behavior of in-situ synthesized MgAl2O4–Si3N4 composites used for solar heat absorber. Ceram Int2016; 42: 10175–10183.
65.
WangCWangHFanX, et al.Fabrication of dense β-Si3N4-based ceramic coating on porous Si3N4 ceramic. J Eur Ceram Soc2015; 35: 1743–1750.
66.
MicheliLSarmahNLuoX, et al.Opportunities and challenges in micro-and nano-technologies for concentrating photovoltaic cooling: a review. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2013; 20: 595–610.
67.
IyasaraACOdewaleIONwabineliEO, et al.Understanding ceramic science and technology beyond clay. Int J Inform Eng Technol2023; 12: 17–24.
68.
CasalegnoVFerrariLJimenez FuentesM, et al.High-performance SiC–based solar receivers for CSP: component manufacturing and joining. Materials (Basel)2021; 14: 4687.
69.
FahrenholtzWGHilmasGETalmyIG, et al.Refractory diborides of zirconium and hafnium. J Am Ceram Soc2007; 90: 1347–1364.
70.
BesisaDHEwaisEMAhmedYM. A comparative study of thermal conductivity and thermal emissivity of high temperature solar absorber of ZrO2/Fe2O3 and Al2O3/CuO ceramics. Ceram Int2021; 47: 28252–28259.
71.
CaiKMcLachlanDSAxenN, et al.Preparation, microstructures and properties of Al2O3–TiC composites. Ceram Int2002; 28: 217–222.
72.
BelmonteMNietoMIOsendiMI, et al.Influence of the SiC grain size on the wear behaviour of Al2O3/SiC composites. J Eur Ceram Soc2006; 26: 1273–1279.
73.
XuXSongJWuJ, et al.Preparation and thermal shock resistance of mullite and corundum Co-bonded SiC ceramics for solar thermal storage. J Wuhan Univ Technol-Mater Sci Ed2020; 35: 16–25.
74.
NiiharaK. New design concept of structural ceramics. J Ceram Soc Jpn1991; 99: 974–982.
75.
WuJZhouYSunM, et al.Mechanical properties and microstructure of Al2O3/SiC composite ceramics for solar heat absorber. J Wuhan Univ Technol-Mater Sci Ed2021; 36: 615–623.
76.
DongYXuFMShiXL, et al.Fabrication and mechanical properties of nano-/micro-sized Al2O3/SiC composites. Mater Sci Eng A2009; 504: 49–54.
77.
GriffithAA. VI. The phenomena of rupture and flow in solids. Philos Trans R Soc London1921; 221: 163–198.
78.
BesisaDHEwaisEMAhmedYZ, et al.Densification and characterization of SiC-AlN composites for solar energy applications. Renew Energy2018; 129: 201–213.
79.
ZhangYWuJXuX, et al.Effect of Sm2O3 on microstructure and high-temperature stability of MgAl2O4-Si3N4 ceramic for solar thermal absorber. J Alloys Compd2017; 711: 365–373.
80.
ReddyKMSahaBP. Effect of porosity on the structure and properties of β-SiAlON ceramics. J Alloys Compd2019; 779: 590–598.
81.
SaniEMercatelliLJafrancescoD, et al.Ultra-High temperature ceramics for solar receivers: spectral and high-temperature emittance characterization. J Eur Optic Soc-Rapid Publ2012; 7: 12052–12055.
82.
SaniEMercatelliLSansJL, et al.Porous and dense hafnium and zirconium ultra-high temperature ceramics for solar receivers. Opt Mater2013; 36: 163–168.
83.
SaniEMercatelliLMeucciM, et al.Optical properties of dense zirconium and tantalum diborides for solar thermal absorbers. Renew Energy2016; 91: 340–346.
84.
MusaCLicheriROrrùR, et al.Optical characterization of hafnium boride and hafnium carbide-based ceramics for solar energy receivers. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells2018; 169: 111–119.
85.
TreccaniL. Introduction to ceramic materials. In: Surface-Functionalized ceramics: For biotechnological environmental applications, 2023, pp. 1–46.
86.
HamzatAKOmisanyaMISahinAZ, et al.Application of nanofluid in solar energy harvesting devices: a comprehensive review. Energy Convers Manage2022; 266: 115790.
87.
LaoXXuXJiangW, et al.In-situ synthesis of mullite-SiCw composite ceramics in Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 ternary system for solar heat transmission pipeline. J Alloys Compd2019; 783: 460–467.
