MXene fractal-based dual-band metamaterial absorber in the visible and near-infrared regime

This article details the development of an MXene-based fractal metamaterial solar absorber (MMA) that operates in the visible and near-infrared ranges. A silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate, a silver reflecting surface, and a single sheet of fractal pattern MXene make up the suggested absorber. With a normal incidence spectrum from 400 to 1500 nm, this dual-band absorber has an absorptivity over 80%. In addition, its narrow band absorption peak with 100% absorptivity in the visible range demonstrates its value for sensing applications. The suggested metasurface’s electric resonance is responsible for its impressive absorption throughout a large portion of the spectrum, from the visible to the near-infrared. In addition, the suggested solar absorber’s polarization insensitivity originates from the symmetric fractal structure. Experiments have shown that the angle of light’s incidence has no effect on the absorber. The suggested absorber’s strong narrow-band absorption in the visible range may be beneficial for sensing applications, and its wide-band absorption in the near-infrared area may improve light-to-heat conversion, both of which would benefit solar energy systems.