Solar selective black molybdenum coatings by chemical conversion

Solar selectivity, with emphasis on a high solar absorptance and a low thermal emittance, was measured for black molybdenum films prepared by a chemical conversion process. The best values of the solar absorptance (0.88) and the thermal emittance (0.20) were achieved by optimizing the preparation parameters, e.g. the bath composition, the deposition temperature and the immersion time. The films deposited onto galvanized steel sheet and zinc-plated mild steel sheet show high adherence and good thermal stability at elevated temperatures (250 °C).