Electrodeposited black cobalt selective coatings for application in solar thermal collectors: Fabrication, characterization, and stability

•Selective black cobalt coatings (BC) are viable for solar thermal collectors.•Electrodeposition is a robust and scalable BC fabrication method.•BC films on Pt are stable to 750 °C; on stainless steel – nickel to 300 °C.•The BC selective film is hydrophobic and stable under weathering.•The BC coating has been demonstrated in solar thermal collectors.