Solar Thermoplasmonic Nanofurnaces and Method for Making and Using Same

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This invention relates to the fabrication and use of titanium nitride (TiN) nanostructures called 'nanofurnaces,' which efficiently convert solar energy into heat at the nanoscale. These nanofurnaces are arrays of subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities created by anodizing titanium foil and converting it to TiN under ammonia at high temperatures. The resulting structures exhibit near-perfect absorption of visible and near-infrared light and can achieve temperatures above 600°C under moderate concentrated solar irradiation, with high solar-to-heat conversion efficiency.

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• Solar-thermal panels for efficient heat generation and renewable electricity production
• Nanochemistry and controlled synthesis of nanocatalysts within precise nanoscale volumes
• Photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis, including the conversion of CO to CO₂ using embedded metal nanoparticles
• Solar desalination and steam generation systems
• Solar-thermophotovoltaic devices for direct solar-to-electricity conversion
• High-temperature industrial processes requiring compact, localized heat sources
• Thermoelectrics for energy harvesting and sensing
• Thin-film, scalable devices for chemical manufacturing at reduced cost/footprint

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• Near-unity solar absorption in visible and near-infrared ranges ensures highly efficient light harvesting
• Achieves very high local temperatures (>600°C) with moderate solar concentration, reducing infrastructure size and cost
• High solar-to-heat conversion efficiency (up to 68%) outperforms many conventional and nanoparticle-based technologies
• Refractory and chemically inert TiN offers excellent high-temperature stability, overcoming aggregation issues of traditional nanoparticles
• Scalable and flexible manufacturing process for large-area applications
• Nanoscale precision enables zeptoliter-volume control of chemical and thermal processes
• Polarization-insensitive operation broadens applicability under natural sunlight
• Resistant to thermal stress, with fast heating/cooling rates and long-term operational durability

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Patent Abstract

Titanium nitride (TiN) nanofurnaces are fabricated in a method that involves anodization of a titanium (Ti) foil to form TiO2 nanocavities. After anodization, the TiO2 nanocavities are converted to TiN at 600 °C under ammonia flow. The resulting structure is an array of refractory (high-temperature stable) subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities that operate as plasmonic nanofurnaces capable of reaching temperatures above 600 °C under moderate concentrated solar irradiation. The nanofurnaces show near-unity solar absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges and a maximum thermoplasmonic solar-to-heat conversion efficiency of 68 percent.