Chemically deposited SnS-CuxS thin films with high solar absorptance: new approach to all-glass tubular solar collectors

Abstract

Chemical deposition of SnS-Cu_xS films on glass substrates showing a solar absorptance >0.9 for the substrate side incidence is reported. This combination is obtained by successive depositions of approximately 0.8 mu m thick SnS thin films and Cu_xS thin films of approximately 0.3 mu m thickness. After 30 min heating in air at 200 degrees C of the film, a typical SnS-Cu_xS solar absorber coating shows sheet resistance approximately=10 Omega / Square Operator , solar transmittance approximately=2% and solar reflectance approximately=7% for glass side incidence. Considering a double pass of sunlight through the film in a tubular geometry, this indicates a solar absorptance of approximately=0.93. The possible applications of the films in all-glass tubular collectors are discussed.