Synthesis of the Solar Selective Material CuFeMnO4 by Solid Phase and Co-Precipitation

This study meticulously explores two distinct synthesis methods, the solid-state reaction method and the co-precipitation method, for fabricating the spinel-structured solar selective material CuFeMnO4. By comparing the materials synthesized through these two methods in terms of crystal structure, micro-morphology, particle size distribution, and optical properties, the influence of different preparation methods on the final material performance is revealed. The primary characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed the material’s structural and optical properties, allowing evaluation of the modified synthetic approach’s effectiveness in material design optimization. The results indicate that CuFeMnO4 prepared by the solid-state method exhibits high crystallinity and good thermal stability under high-temperature conditions. The XRD patterns show that the spinel phase is more prominent and fewer impurities are observed in samples synthesized by the solid-state method. In contrast, the co-precipitation method demonstrates a significant advantage in controlling particle size, with particles of 1–3 μm obtained via the solid-state method and particles of 400–1000 nm synthesized via the co-precipitation method. This study further discusses optimization strategies for both methods, providing theoretical support and a practical basis for the future design and fabrication of efficient solar selective materials.