A method using capillary force lamination (CFL) for manufacturing a high-performance optical absorber, includes: texturizing a base layer of the high-performance optical absorber, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; joining a surface layer of the high-performance optical absorber to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet; wetting the joined surface layer and base layer with a solvent; drying the joined surface layer and base layer; and treating the resulting base layer with plasma, creating the high-performance optical absorber.