A modified kapok fiber based phase change composite for highly-efficient solar-thermal conversion. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Zijiao; Lin, Fankai; Qiao, Jiaxin; Liu, Xianjie; Liu, Mingyong; Huang, Zhaohui; Mi, Ruiyu; Min, Xin; Xu, Yunfei; Wang, Longfei
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 108(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Kapok fiber -- Ti3C2Tx -- Phase change material -- Solar-thermal conversion -- Energy harvesting; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Phase change material (PCM) has attracted considerable attention as thermal energy management technology for thermal storage. However, the low thermal conductivity and poor solar-thermal conversion performance severely limit their further practical applications. Herein, we successfully design a novel form-stable polyethylene glycol (PEG)-kapok fiber (KF)@Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets phase change composite with favorable thermal conductivity (0.630 W/mK) and outstanding solar-thermal conversion efficiency (98.49%). The Ti3 C2 Tx on KF could offer more thermally conductive channels, thus greatly improve the thermal conductivity of PEG PCM. The strong solar absorption of Ti3 C2 Tx and the black surface of the composite conjointly resulted in the highly efficient solar-thermal conversion procedure. When the as-prepared composite exposed to sunlight, the surface temperature could reach over 90 °C in just 10 min. This work could not only exhibit the great potential of PEG-KF@Ti3 C2 Tx in thermal energy management, but also provide a new and efficient way for high solar-thermal conversion. Graphical Abstract: A novel form-stable polyethylene glycol-kapok fiber@Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets phase change composite with outstanding solar-thermal conversion efficiency (98.49%) due to the local surface plasmon resonance effect, strong solar absorption and the solar-thermal conversion ability. ga1 Highlights: Assembling Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets on KF tubes effectively encapsulates PCM and forms fast heat transfer channels. The PEG-KF@Ti3 C2 Tx has a 93% high encapsulation efficiency and a 0.630 W/mK superior thermal conductivity. The composite PCM exhibits a fast solar-thermal response and efficient solar energy storage in a short time. The PEG-KF@Ti3 C2 Tx achieves a superb solar thermal conversion efficiency of 98.49%.