A novel AlCrSiN/AlCrSiON/AlCrO tandem multi-layer nanocomposite coating has been prepared by cathodic arc ion plating for solar selective absorbing. The composition, structure, and surface morphology of the coating were characterized using SEM, EDS, XPS, TEM, and AFM. The optical performances of the coating were measured by spectrophotometer, while the thermal stability of the coating was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. The coating exhibited a relatively high absorptance of 0.958 and a relatively low emittance of 0.14, as well as an outstanding thermal stability with a selectivity of 0.924/0.16 even after annealing at 600 degrees C for 600 h in air, which properties rendered this multi-layer nanocomposite coating a potential material for photo-thermal conversion at high temperatures. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.