Erbium containing ceramic emitters for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion

Ceramic materials are the most promising candidates for the thermostructural components of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generators because of their high temperature resistance and good structural properties. In order to obtain radiation between 1400 and 1600 run, selective radiators based on erbium have been studied. Tests on ceramic composites containing alumina and zirconia fibres at different erbium concentration have been performed with the aim of achieving the assessment that realises simultaneously good functional and structural performances for TPV applications. Moreover, emittance spectra have been related to the morphological results obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation and XRD analysis.