@article{bibcite_36820, author = {Minok Park and Shomik Verma and Alina LaPotin and Dustin P Nizamian and Ravi S Prasher and Asegun Henry and Sean D Lubner and Costas P Grigoropoulos and Vassilia Zorba}, title = {High-emissivity, thermally robust emitters for high power density thermophotovoltaics}, abstract = {

Thermal radiative energy transport is essential for high-temperature energy harvesting technologies, including thermophotovoltaics (TPVs) and grid-scale thermal energy storage. However, the inherently low emissivity of conventional high-temperature materials constrains radiative energy transfer, thereby limiting system performance and technoeconomic viability. Here, we demonstrate ultrafast femtosecond laser-material interactions to transform diverse materials into near-blackbody surfaces with broadband spectral emissivity above 0.96. This enhancement arises from hierarchically engineered light-trapping microstructures enriched with nanoscale features, effectively decoupling surface optical properties from bulk thermomechanical properties. These laser-blackened surfaces (LaBS) exhibit exceptional thermal stability, retaining high emissivity for over 100 h at temperatures exceeding 1,000{\textdegree}C, even in oxidizing environments. When applied as TPV thermal emitters, Ta LaBS double electrical power output from 2.19 to 4.10 W cm^-2 at 2,200{\textdegree}C while sustaining TPV conversion efficiencies above 30\%. This versatile, largely material-independent technique offers a scalable and economically viable pathway to enhance emissivity for advanced thermal energy applications.

}, year = {2025}, booktitle = {Joule}, journal = {Joule}, series = {Joule}, volume = {9}, pages = {102005}, month = {07/2025}, institution = {Elsevier BV}, publisher = {Elsevier BV}, issn = {2542-4351}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2025.102005}, doi = {10.1016/j.joule.2025.102005}, }