Ultra-broadband perfect solar absorber based on the truncated pyramid structure MXene

Abstract The efficient harnessing of solar radiation is pivotal to photothermal energy conversion, yet designing solar absorbers with superior absorption efficiency remains a formidable task. To address this challenge, we present a straightforward and impeccable perfect solar absorber (SA) architecture, leveraging truncated pyramid (TP) structure MXene, which demonstrates exceptional performance across the entire solar radiation spectrum. Simulation results demonstrate that the absorbance of the proposed SA exceeds 99.5% from 0.28 μm to 4.34 μm with a relative bandwidth of approximately 175.77%. The exceptional solar absorption capability of the designed MXene featuring TP structure can be attributed to the synergistic interplay of waveguide mode excitation, located surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) modes, and their coupling effects. Notably, the proposed SA is remarkable for its polarization-independent and wide-angle incidence compatibility, seamlessly accommodating both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes. Furthermore, the designed SA demonstrates resilience against certain structural parameter deviations during practical manufacturing processes. The designed ultra-broadband SA holds immense promise for diverse applications, including solar energy harvesting, solar thermal systems, thermal photovoltaics, and thermoelectronic devices.