LAUSR

Abstract Fabrication highly efficient photothermal conversion nanofluids is a fascinating topic in solar energy harvesting applications. Herein, we present TiN is an excellent alternative plasmonic nanofluid for solar thermal conversion. The optical absorption property and the photothermal conversion performance of titanium nitride (TiN) are superior to another five traditional materials such as carbon nanotube, graphene, Au, Ag and metal sulfide (CuS). Dual localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect between Au and TiN nanoparticles make the hybrid nanocomposite (Au/TiN) possess superior optical absorption to TiN at the same concentration. The maximal temperature rise of 100 ppm TiN after irradiation for 20 min is 14.2 °C. The photothermal conversion efficiency of TiN is much higher than another five conventional nanofluids. All Au/TiN nanofluids with different Au loadings show higher maximal temperature rise than TiN, indicating dual LSPR effect is beneficial for better photo-thermal conversion performance.