2D photonic crystal emitter at 1,400°C for thermophotovoltaic energy harvesting

Spectrally selective emitters that endure extreme temperatures (exceeding 1,000°C) are vital for thermophotovoltaic energy harvesting. Here, we report a 2D photonic crystal emitter composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles on a tungsten mirror, fabricated through a simple and scalable self-assembly process. The emitter demonstrates spectral stability for 2 h and structural stability for 14 h at 1,400°C under high vacuum, with degradation attributed to zirconium nitridation, which is avoided under Ar or forming gas atmospheres. Long-term durability is demonstrated over 6 months and 200 thermal cycles at 1,050°C, effectively mitigating tungsten oxidation. The emitter achieves 52% spectral efficiency for a 0.72 eV photovoltaic band gap. This work offers perspectives on designing and implementing spectrally selective emitters that remain stable at high temperatures and resilient in harsh environments, representing a significant step forward in developing robust thermophotovoltaic energy-harvesting systems.