2021 International Conference on Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ICECIT), 14–16 September
2021, Khulna, Bangladesh.
Effectiveness of CuO as Selective Coating on Cu
Substrate Obtained by Dip Coating Method for
Solar Thermal Applications
Pragati Gupta Sejuti Zaman
Institute of Energy Institute of Energy
University of Dhaka University of Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh
pragatigpt5@gmail.com sejuti2k13@gmail.com
Abstract— Selective coatings are popularly used in solar
radiation collectors for the solar thermal system to fortify the
performance and efficiency of that system. In this research CuO
selective coating has been developed on Cu substrate through
the dip-coating method at room temperature using NaOH and
NH3 as a pH controller of the solution. The coating on a Cu sheet
of 0.45mm thickness shows that it has an absorbance of 75.02%,
emissivity of 28.63%, selectivity of 2.61% and efficiency of
46.38% for pH 11 of the solution at room temperature. The
performance of selective coating among the three preparations
of pH 9, 10.4, 11 was better for higher pH at the same
temperature. The prepared CuO in simple dip-coating method
shows that it can be a good selective coating for its high
absorbance below 2µm short wave and low emissivity above 2
µm long wave radiation spectrum as required for highly
efficient solar thermal applications.
Keywords— solar selective absorber, dip coating, chemical
deposition, CuO thin film, optical properties, selectivity
I. INTRODUCTION
The selective coating as an optical coating acts to
minimize thermal radiation loss from the top surface of any
solar energy device. There are two types of selective coatings-
one is transparent and the next one is non-transparent. The
second one is mainly used on the surface of radiation-
absorbing elements. Those coatings possess high absorptivity
(∼0.95) in the visible and near-infrared regions and low
emissivity (~0.05) in the far-infrared region [1].
A solar collector which gathers energy from sunlight
requires an absorber surface of high absorptance and low
emittance in the solar spectrum. So, in the absorber surface, a
selective coating can be used to increase the performance of
it. The absorber absorbs a specific wavelength of the solar
spectrum and then converts it into thermal energy.
There are many types of methods to deposit a selective
coating on a substrate and several materials can be used as
substrates. Electrodeposition, vacuum techniques, sputtering,
anodization and chemical vapor deposition techniques are
common deposition methods. These deposition methods are
involved with a complex manufacturing process and costly
instrumentation. Typically, black cobalt, black brass band
copper oxide, black chrome, black nickel are commercially
used as selective coating materials [2].
978-1-6654-2363-2/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE
Farhat Tasnim Farin Himangshu Ranjan Ghosh
Institute of Energy Lecturer,Institute of Energy
University of Dhaka University of Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh
farinbd22@gmail.com hrghosh@du.ac.bd
II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
A. Reflection-Transmission Measurement
Emitting quantity of light from a sample is addressed as
the reflectance of that sample. Here two angles called incident
angle and reflected angel are formed between the incident
light and normal of sample and again reflected light and
normal of sample respectively. Reflectance measurements
measure either the relative or absolute reflected light, with
measurement values expressed in terms of reflectance.
Relative reflectance measurements calculate the proportional
amount of reflected light measured from a sample surface,
relative to the amount of reflected light measured from a
reference plate. The relative reflectance is calculated based on
assuming the reference plate has a reflectance of 100%.
Moreover, it is necessary to manage reference plates properly
because different reflectance values can be obtained if
reference plates are substituted or if they become
contaminated or change characteristics. For determining the
optical performance of the spectrally selective solar absorber,
the total reflectance was measured in the solar and infrared
wavelength ranges between 260nm - 2500nm [4].
At the surface, the reflected fraction of incident light
intensity at a specific wavelength (λ) , is called reflectance
R(λ), the absorbed fraction is called absorptance A(λ), and the
transmitted fraction is called transmittance T(λ). Energy
conservation relation is given in (1).
A(λ) + R(λ) + T(λ) = 1 (1)
The definition of emittance ε(λ), is the ratio between
infrared light emitted from a surface and that emitted from a
perfect blackbody at the same wavelength and the same
temperature [5]. According to Kirchhoff’s law, the emittance
is equal to the absorptance in (2).
ɛ(λ) = A(λ) = 1 - R(λ) - T(λ) (2)
For an opaque surface, the transmittance is zero, so (2)
becomes (3).
ɛ(λ) = 1 - R(λ) (3)
An ideal absorber surface should have zero reflectance in
the solar spectral range to maximize the capture of solar
energy and reflectance equal to one in the infrared wavelength
range to minimize radiation losses. Thus, an ideal spectrally
selective surface should have an abrupt transition from low to
high reflectance at a transition wavelength [6].
Solar absorptance and thermal emittance are two basic
parameters for characterizing the selective nature of various
coating surfaces. The total solar absorptance calculated with a
normal angle of incidence αs, is a weighted average, weighted
by the solar spectral radiation Is(λ), as shown in (4).
(4)
The total thermal emittance calculated with a normal angle
of radiation εt, is a weighted average, weighted by the
blackbody radiation Ib(λ, T), for a given temperature T, as
shown in (5).
,
= (5)
,
The selectivity (ξ) of the surface is given as the ratio of
solar absorptance (αs) to thermal emittance (ɛ) in (6).
= (6)
The photothermal conversion efficiency (η) of a solar
selective absorber coating is defined in (7).
= − (7)
B. Desirable Characteristics of a Selective Absorber Surface
A selective absorber surface, for successful operational
use in solar thermal systems, must possess some
characteristics as much as possible. For example, the selective
absorber must have low thermal emittance (E < 0.2) and high
solar absorptance (a > 0.9), along with large angles of
acceptance, stability to (or recovery from) short-term
overheating due to failure to extract energy from the collector,
long term stability at desired operating temperatures,
applicability to given substrate materials. Most importantly it
should be reproducible and of reasonable cost [7].
III. EXPERIMENTAL WORK AND MEASUREMENT
A. Deposition
Copper Oxide thin film acts as a selective surface. CuO
has been actively looked into as a selective absorber layer
because of its high solar absorptance and low thermal
emittance. It is investigated that the CuO films show a
significant fall in the infrared reflectance at an extended
oxidation. Moreover, it is reported that usually the photo-
thermal conversion efficiency of this coating is depended on
the film thickness. The preparation of CuO thin film has been
done in different pH solution (pH 9, pH 10.4, pH 11).
In the TABLE Ⅰ, the chemicals and materials which have
been used for accomplishing the experiment are listed there.
Then TABLE Ⅱ represents the instrumental components and
devices which are used in the experiment laboratory.
B. Surface Preparation of the Substrate i.e Cleaning
The selective coating of CuO on Copper substrate was
made up through the oxidation of Cu at various alkaline
conditions and this was done in room temperature. Cu
substrate with a thickness of 0.45mm were cleaned by diping
them in 4M HCL solution. 15mL 4M HCL was added to
150mL distilled water. Cu substrate was soaked into that
solution for 15 min. Then it was rinsed with distilled water
before being oxidized. Here 4M HCL is used for the removal
of grease, oil and soils from the substrate to be used in dip
coating.
TABLE I. REQUIRED CHEMICALS, MATERILAS FOR EXPERIMENT
SL. Chemicals and Materials
1. 4M HCL
2. 0.0125M NaOH
3. 0.0325M NH3
4. 0.45mm Cu Sheet
5. Distilled Water
TABLE II. REQUIRED INSTRUMENTS FOR EXPERIMENT
SL. Instruments
1. UH4150 Spectrophotometer (Integrating Sphere)
2. Oven conciliator
3. Beaker (500ml) and Glass Rod
4. Balance and pH Meter
5. Beaker (500ml) and Glass Rod
Increasing the cleaner concentration, temperature and time
of immersion accelerate the rate of cleaning. It is, however,
important that recommended concentrations of the cleaner are
not exceeded. That might cause corrosion to the substrate. In
this experiment the optimum time for soaking the substrate for
cleaning was 15 min.
C. Deposition of CuO Thin Film on Cu Substrate
In Fig. 1, to produce a copper oxide coating on copper
substrate, first, Sodium Hydroxide (0.0125M NaOH) as the
oxide carrier and Ammonia (0.0325M NH3) to regulate the pH
of the solutions have been used. To obtain 0.0125M NaOH,
0.225g NaOH was added with 150mL water. Then divided the
solutions into three equal parts in three separate beakers. The
properly cleaned Cu substrate was then soaked in the solution
containing 0.0125M NaOH and 0.0325M NH3 having the pH
of 11. The Cu substrate was taken out (from the above
solution) after 66 hours of dipping. After that it was rinsed
with distilled water and then made it dry in a hot air oven for
3 hours at 60oC temperature. Finally, at 2000C temperature the
specimens were blazed up in a furnace for 1 hour. The same
process was repeated for preparing samples at different pH
conditions (pH 9 and pH 10.4), Tuning the concentrations of
NH4OH and NaOH.
Cu2+ + 4NH3 = [Cu(NH3)4]2+
[Cu(NH3)4]2+ + 2OH - = Cu(OH)2 + NH4OH
Cu(OH) = CuO + H2O
D. Measurement of Spectral Reflectace
The reflectance measurement was accomplished by using
machine- “UH4150 Spectrophotometer (Integrating Sphere)”.
The reflection, absorption and transmission readings were
taken for 260nm to 2500nm. As the sample was opaque the
transmission percentage was zero.
The spectral reflectance has been measured by the
software of mentioned spectrometer. The sample was kept in
the covered chamber of the spectrophotometer and the curve
for the spectral reflectance was directly evaluated from the no calibration and measuring instrument were required. This
attained data. term can be defined by (6).

Fig. 1. Cu substrates soaked into NaOH and NH3 solution for three different
pH (pH9, pH10.4 and pH11)

In Fig. 2. the dots represent the percentage reflectance with Fig. 2. Reflectance vs Wavelength plot for the solution with pH 11
respect to different wavelengths for CuO thin film in pH 11
solution. The bold red line represents the ideal reflectance vs
wavelength graph. The cutting frequency will be 2000nm, if
before 2000nm the % reflectance is zero. At 2000nm %
reflectance will rise to maximum value and be at that
maximum point for the rest of the higher wavelength. Before
2000nm there will be no emittance only absorption. And after
2000nm there was only emittance no absorption. But in real
scenario, the % reflectance starts to rise from 1850nm. Before
1850nm there was a little bit of emittance present in the
system. But still it followed the trend.
Fig. 3. for solution with pH 10.4, the CuO was not
deposited perfectly on Cu substrate. As a result, a prominent
deviation of % reflection vs wavelength graph for solution
pH10.4 from the ideal graph can be seen.
Fig. 4. for solution with pH 9, there was not any CuO Fig. 3. Reflectance vs Wavelength plot for the solution with pH 10.4
coating on the Cu substrate. The Cu substrate got corroded. As
a result, the % reflectance vs wave length graph doesn’t follow
any pattern whatsoever.
E. Measurement of Solar Absoptance
The fraction of incident solar radiation which is absorbed
by the top surface of material is called as solar absorptance. It
can be expressed as a function of reflectance of the material
R(λ), and is in (4).
All the sample studied in this thesis work were effectively
opaque. Therefore, we used (4) for measuring the absorptance.
For a good solar absorber, high solar absorptance in short
wave-length is desired. That’s why we have integrated the
curve from 260nm to 2000nm.
F. Measurement of the Thermal Emittance
No specific instrument were used for the measurement of
absorptance. It was measured from the spectral reflectance of Fig. 4. Reflectance vs Wavelength plot for the solution with pH 9
the sample. The fractional emittance may be defined as the
weighted fraction (by total power density) of the emitted H. Measurement of Efficiency
radiation by (5). For a good solar absorber, low thermal
emittance (in long wave length) is desired. That is why we The efficiency of the coated samples was measured, as it
have integrated the curve from 2000nm to 2500nm. is the difference between the absorptance and the emittance of
the samples. For this no calibration and measuring instrument
G. Measurement of Selectivity were required. This term is defined by (7).
The selectivity of the coated samples was also measured, In TABLE Ⅲ different parameters associated with the
as it is the ration of the absorptance to the emittance. For this variation of temperature for the coated sample at pH 11 are
tabulated. Here pH 11 is considered as the deposition was TABLE IV. COMPARISION BETWEEN CHARACTERISTICS FOR TWO
DIFFERENT PH SOLUTION
better in this solution.
Characteristics pH 10.4 pH 11
TABLE III. ABROSPTANCE, EMITTANCE, SELECTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY
AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURE FOR THE SOLUTION OF PH 11 Absorptace 77.5% 75.02%
Characteristics 0
70 C 0
80 C
Emittance 51.4% 28.63%
Absorptance 75.02% 75.02%
Selectivity 1.5% 2.61%
Emittance 28.63% 50.85%
Efficiency 26.1% 46.38%
Selectivity 2.61% 1.47%

Efficiency 46.38% 24.16%

IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

All the coated samples in this work have been developed
by varying the pH level of the solution. Some of them were
well coated and some of them were not. Data for the
reflectance of some well coated samples at different
wavelength were taken by the spectrophotometer. The
reflectance-wavelength curves have been shown in Fig. 2, 3,
and 4. The coatings exhibits low reflectance throughout the
solar region, resulting high absorptance.

It has been already mentioned that coating in higher pH
solution shows the better efficiency and selectivity. So this
experiment has been done from less alkaline solution to
higher alkaline solution. But there exists effect of change in
temperature on the characteristics of the selective coating in
same pH solution. By increasing the temperature deposition
happens better. Form TABLE Ⅲ, as the temperature rises the
emissivity of the coating increases. As a result, the selectivity
and efficiency of the selective coating decrease. Here 70°C
and 80°C temperature were selected for observation because
in general solar thermal system works in this range of
temperature. If this temperature range is increased, water
becomes to evaporate which is not desired. The efficiency of
the selective coating at 70°C temperature is 1.92 times higher
than that of at temperature 80°C. Similarly, the selectivity at
temperature 70°C is 1.5 times higher than that of at
temperature 80°C. It can be said that if the temperature rises
from 70°C to 80°C, the performance of the selective coating
degrades. So, this experimental observation refers- it is safe
to say that 70°C is the optimum temperature for the CuO
selective coating on Cu substrate in solution with pH 11.
TABLE IV shows the comparison between characteristics
for solutions with pH 10.4 and pH 11 at 700C temperature.
As it is seen that the absorptance for CuO coating in pH 10.4
solution is higher than that of in pH 11 solution. However,
the emittance is also higher for CuO coating in pH 10.4
solution which makes the overall efficiency of the coating at
pH 10.4 less than the efficiency of coating at pH 11.
Moreover, the selectivity is a function of absoptance and
emittance as well. So the selectivity for CuO coating in
solution with pH 11 is also higher than that of in solution with
pH 10.4.
Fig.5 dipicts the change in efficiency and selectivity of the
selective coating with respect to different pH soltuion.
Coating in solution higher pH level shows better efficiency
and selectivity.
Fig. 5. Change in efficiency and selectivity with respect to different pH
solution
The substrates have to be soaked in the solution for 66-96
hours for having the coating deposited on the substrate. This
turns the process time consuming.
V. CONCLUSION
An experimental approach has presented to find out an
effective solar selective absorber which is easy to produce
and cost effective for solar thermal application. The results
are presented in terms of absorptance, emittance, selectivity
and efficiency.
An ideal selective coating for solar thermal conversion
would be black in appearance in UV range but an excellent
mirror in the IR region. These types of coatings should have
absorptivity in the lower wavelength region and emissivity
for higher wavelength region. CuO shows that properties of
selective coatings.
The deposition technique that we used is Dip Coating
technique. It is an inexpensive, rather easy but effective
technique for mass production.
It is seen that the selectivity of CuO coating Cu substrate
varies with different pH level of the solution. Selectivity
increases with increase of pH of the solution. For pH 9
solution there was no CuO coating, and Cu substrate got
corroded. So, it is better to deposit CuO coating with pH > 10
Some important points for further work are suggested as
follows:
• In this experiment Cu substrate have been used
because of its abundant availability and inexpensive
nature. But the experiment can be done using different
substrate as well.
• Different chemicals can be used in order to obtain the
selective coating.
 • This experiment was done using Dip-coating method
and soaking the substrate for 66hrs. In future, this
experiment can be carried out by using various
deposition time and concentration of the chemicals.
• Time for how long the solar thermal collector keeps
the water warm at a desired range of temperature when
no solar radiation is available can be recorded for pH
10 and pH 11 solution coating and also for various
coating materials.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We express our heartfelt thankfulness towards Solar cell
lab, IFRD, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (BCSIR) for the support.
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