Ideal Photothermal Materials Based on Ge Subwavelength Structure

Photothermal materials often prioritize solar absorption while neglecting thermal radiation losses, which diminishes thermal radiation conversion efficiency. This study addresses this gap by introducing a germanium (Ge) subwavelength structure (SWS) designed to optimize both solar absorption and infrared emissivity. Using a self-masked reactive ion etching (RIE) technique, we achieved a peak absorption of 98.8% within the 300 nm to 1800 nm range, with an infrared emissivity as low as 0.32. Under solar illumination of 1000 W/m², the structure’s temperature increased by 50 °C, generating a heating power of 800 W/m². Additionally, it demonstrated good mechanical and thermal stability at high temperatures and possessed a hydrophobic angle of 132°, ensuring effective self-cleaning. These characteristics make the Ge SWS suitable for application in solar panels, displays, sensors, and other optoelectronic devices.