Analysis of non-noble plasmonic enhanced solar distillation using computed optical activities

Solar distillation is an immensely promising, renewable energy-based solution route for potable water production from grey water. Noble plasmonic nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Ag) are typically employed in solar distillation systems for efficiency enhancement. However, their high cost renders such technologies economically nonviable. In this study, we evaluate the prospect of using Cu-coated Al as non-noble plasmonic nanoparticles for solar distillation based on the energy balance across various parts of a solar still (basin, glass cover and fluid). We compute the absorption and scattering cross-sections of these nanoparticles, and hence their optical activity. We show that particles of sizes