Published at Ceramics International – Upcycling copper slag into high-performance spinel-based ceramics with integrated solar absorption and storage
Summary
<p>Abstract: Solid solar absorption/storage material (SSAM) is the crucial component for next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) system, which could promote global carbon neutrality. However, the comprehensive absorption/storage performance of SSAM at low cost has not been realized, thereby hindering its practical application. To address this problem, Fe/Si-rich copper slag, as abundant solid waste, was […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-ceramics-international-upcycling-copper-slag-into-high-performance-spinel-based-ceramics-with-integrated-solar-absorption-and-storage/">Published at Ceramics International – Upcycling copper slag into high-performance spinel-based ceramics with integrated solar absorption and storage</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Shouhang-HiTech-CSP-Tower-at-Tangshan-Haitai.png"><img alt="Shouhang HiTech CSP Tower at Tangshan Haitai" class="size-full wp-image-30820" height="477" src="https://www.solarpaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Shouhang-HiTech-CSP-Tower-at-Tangshan-Haitai.png" width="750" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Abstract:</strong><br />
Solid solar absorption/storage material (SSAM) is the crucial component for next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) system, which could promote global carbon neutrality. However, the comprehensive absorption/storage performance of SSAM at low cost has not been realized, thereby hindering its practical application. To address this problem, Fe/Si-rich copper slag, as abundant solid waste, was used as the main raw material to develop novel SSAM by introducing MgO/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> additives in present work. This kind of SSAM is composed of (Mg,Fe)(Fe,Al)<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> spinel and (Mg<sub>x</sub>Fe<sub>2-x</sub>)SiO<sub>4</sub> forsterite as main crystalline phases with high solar absorptance of 91.93%, due to impurity energy level absorption and lattice vibration absorption. Moreover, the material possesses excellent storage potential, including thermal storage density of 1194.83 J/g, thermal conductivity of 4.69 W/(m·K) and specific heat capacity of 1.37 J/(g·K). Crucially, the SSAM maintains remarkable mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures, exhibiting a bending strength of 77.96 MPa even at 1000 °C (106.23 MPa at room temperature). Furthermore, it demonstrates outstanding thermal shock resistance and superior high-temperature wear resistance, ensuring long-term operational reliability under harsh service conditions. This spinel/forsterite SSAM with high absorption/storage performance and low cost, displays significant potential for next generation CSP system.</p>
<p><em><strong>Dong Zhu, Yawei Li, Qinghu Wang, Shaobai Sang, Heng Wang, Yibiao Xu, Yiwei Li, Emad.M.M Ewais, Upcycling copper slag into high-performance spinel-based ceramics with integrated solar absorption and storage, Ceramics International, 2026, ISSN 0272-8842, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2026.06.198</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-ceramics-international-upcycling-copper-slag-into-high-performance-spinel-based-ceramics-with-integrated-solar-absorption-and-storage/">Published at Ceramics International – Upcycling copper slag into high-performance spinel-based ceramics with integrated solar absorption and storage</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>