Optical properties and corrosion resistance of Ti2AlC, Ti3AlC2, and Cr2AlC as candidates for Concentrated Solar Power receivers

New generation concentrated solar power (CSP) plants require new solar receiver materials with selective optical properties and excellent corrosion resistance against molten salts. MAX phases are promising materials for CSP applications due to their optical properties and resistance to thermal shocks. Herein, we report a solar absorptance ≥0.5 and a thermal emittance of 0.17–0.31 between 600 and 1500 K for Cr2AlC, Ti2AlC, and Ti3AlC2. These compositions were also exposed to solar salt corrosion at 600 °C for up to 4 weeks. Cr2AlC exhibited superior corrosion resistance due to the formation of a protective nanometric layer.