Titanium diboride ceramics for solar thermal absorbers

Titanium diboride (TiB2) is a low-density refractory material belonging to the family of ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). This paper reports on the production and microstructural and optical characterization of nearly fully dense TiB2, with particular interest to its potential utilization as novel thermal solar absorber. Monolithic bulk samples are produced starting from elemental reactants by a two-step method consisting of the Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) followed by the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of the resulting powders. The surface of obtained samples has-been characterized from the microstructural and topological points of view. The hemispherical reflectance spectrum has been measured from 0.3 to 15 μm wavelength, to evaluate the potential of this material as solar absorber for future concentrating solar plants.