Abstract
The optimization of the optical properties of CuO tandem solar absorber obtained by cathodic electrophoretic deposition method has been developed following two routes. On the one hand, hydroalcoholic solvent was used to reduce water electrolysis. The deposition homogeneity and thickness was varied by changing the isopropanol volume fraction. The induced roughness of the deposited CuO resulted in higher optical selectivity and efficiency (ƞ) of the film. The kinetic deposition and mechanisms occurring are discussed by taking into account the physical chemistry of the suspension. On the other hand, dip coating of SiO2 nanoparticles is performed on the prepared CuO tandem absorber, acting as a protective and antireflective layer. The morphology of the deposits and the thickness of the coatings are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, absorptance (α) and emittance (ԑ) are calculated from the reflectance spectra of the UV–Vis-NIR and the Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. The efficiency (ƞ) of the tandem material is then calculated to be 0.94 in the case of IPA/water suspension and 0.88 when the anti-reflective layer is added compared to 0.84 for the bare CuO tandem absorber.