Nanocomposite based absorptive coatings can not only augment the absorption of incident solar radiation but also augment the heating of the working fluids that flow in contact with the absorber. In these perspectives, solar absorbers in small and standard sizes with graphite and ZnO mixed nanocomposite coatings were prepared in the present research work. While the small size solar absorber was used for characterization studies, the standard size solar absorber with single sided baffle arrangement was utilized for thermal analyses in outdoor atmosphere. The research results revealed that the grain size in the absorptive coating was 29.65 nm and the developed absorptive coating could be used in solar absorbers that would be used in stagnant and outdoor conditions. The research results also revealed that temperature on the solar absorber ranged between 32.2° C and 46.2° C. On the basis of the research outcomes pertaining to nanocomposite based absorptive coating and nanocomposite absorptive coating based solar absorber, it could be concluded that nano-graphite, nano-zinc oxide and solar absorptive solution coated solar absorber would be utilized not only for effective absorption of solar radiation but also for effective heat transfer to the working fluid in application sectors.
