Anisotropy-functionalized cellulose-based phase change materials with reinforced solar-thermal energy conversion and storage capacity

Improving the thermal stability and energy storage density of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal energy storage systems is a key task for their practical applications in industrial production. Whereas, limited by the inherently inferior heat transfer and unsatisfactory visible light response capability, PCMs exhibit extremely low thermal storage/release capability, inhibiting their developments. Herein, we constructed porous cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/silver nanowire (AgNW) hybrid supporting materials possessing the highly ordered structure and characteristically anisotropic thermal transmission capacity by directional freeze-drying, in order to encapsulate octadecanol (OCO) and octodecane (OCC) by vacuum impregnation method. Profited by the infrequently anisotropic structures and high thermal conductivity AgNWs, CNF/AgNW hybrid materials present dissimilar thermal transmission rates in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The close contact of AgNWs to CNFs allows the energy harvesting by solar-excited AgNWs to rapid transfer to CNFs, which increases the phonon propagation of the cellulosic material lattice and implements the improvement of the thermal transmission ability of the hybrid carriers. The obtained series of composite PCMs show an improved thermal conductivity (enhanced by 72.7%), and thermal enthalpy is comparatively approaching the theoretical value. Rejoicingly, the composites are thermally and durably stable. This novel-innovative targeted functional strategy provides insights into the thermal transmission mechanism in anisotropic supporting materials, and the resulting shape-stable composite PCMs (ss-CPCMs) can be employed as promising candidates for renewable thermal energy storage systems in virtue of their characteristic comprehensive performances.

Automated summary

By utilizing porous cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/silver nanowire (AgNW) hybrid supporting materials and directional freeze-drying, as well as encapsulating phase change materials through vacuum impregnation, this study successfully improved the thermal conductivity of composite PCMs and obtained thermally stable materials for solar energy harvesting.