In the quest for advanced materials that can withstand the harshest environments, researchers have turned their attention to black protective coatings, which have shown promise in various industries, including aerospace and energy. A recent study published in *Applied Surface Science Advances* (translated from Chinese as “Advanced Surface Science”) delves into the performance of Ni-Ce oxide black protective coatings produced via photo-assisted potentiodynamic deposition, offering insights that could revolutionize the energy sector.
Zizhou Qin, a researcher at the College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, led the study, which explores how illumination and deposition potential affect the properties of these coatings. The findings reveal that illumination significantly accelerates the coating deposition process, increasing both thickness and surface roughness. “Under illumination, the coating thickness increased from 3.27 μm to 5.44 μm, and the surface roughness rose from 0.38 to 0.84,” Qin explained. This enhancement in physical properties translates to improved absorption rates in the UV–visible region, reaching up to 95%, and emission properties of 0.87.
The study also highlights the importance of controlling the deposition potential range to optimize the coating’s properties. By manipulating this parameter, researchers achieved precise control over the coating’s thickness and roughness, ultimately enhancing its absorption and emission characteristics. The optimal deposition potential range was found to be between 0 and -1.4 V.
One of the most intriguing findings pertains to the coatings’ hydrophobicity. The contact angle of water increased from 19.2° to 132° as the placement time increased, a significant enhancement attributed to the adsorption of hydrocarbons from the ambient air. This property could be particularly valuable in applications where moisture resistance is crucial, such as in offshore wind turbines or solar panels in humid environments.
The implications for the energy sector are substantial. Black coatings with exceptional absorptivity and emissivity could enhance the efficiency of solar energy systems, improve the durability of wind turbine blades, and contribute to the development of advanced thermal management systems. “This research provides a promising methodology for the development of black coatings with exceptional absorptivity and emissivity,” Qin noted, underscoring the potential for these coatings to find applications in precision optical instruments and the aerospace industry.
As the energy sector continues to seek innovative solutions to improve efficiency and durability, the insights from this study could pave the way for groundbreaking advancements. By leveraging the unique properties of Ni-Ce oxide black protective coatings, researchers and industry professionals can explore new frontiers in material science, ultimately driving progress in the energy sector and beyond.