A shape-stable capric acid @ porous carbon phase change composite with multifunctional response

The development of a phase-change composite with a multifunctional response suitable for buildings is critical for minimizing building energy consumption and improving living comfort. In this study, porous carbon mate-rials with high graphitization and excellent three-dimensional pore structures were synthesized using a simple method. The as-synthesized porous carbon and commercial capric acid with a phase transition temperature of 31 degrees C were combined by vacuum impregnation to form a phase-change composite with excellent shape stability and outstanding thermal properties. The latent heat of fusion in the first cycle of the phase-change composite was 127.1 J/g, and the enthalpy retention rate was as high as 79.24 % after 200 cycles. Meanwhile, the phase-change composite exhibits a photothermal and electrothermal multifunctional response. The photothermal conversion efficiencies of the composites were 55.79 % and 63.56 % under light intensities of 200 and 300 mW cm2, respectively. Importantly, the phase-change composite with high electrical conductivity maintained an excellent electrothermal conversion performance when the applied voltage was 1.5 V at room temperature. Overall, the synthesized phase-change composite integrated high latent heat value, good cycling stability, and excellent electrical conductivity, demonstrating promising application prospects in the construction sector for increasing energy conservation and emission reduction.

Automated summary

This study successfully synthesized a phase-change composite with excellent performance, showing promising application prospects in the construction sector. The material has high latent heat value, good cycling stability, and excellent electrical conductivity, and exhibits photothermal and electrothermal multifunctional responses.