A photo-to-thermal energy conversion and heat regulation wood supported by alkylated carbon black for thermal conductive filler

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 251; p. 112165
• Main Authors: Li, Yanchen, Wang, Hanqiao, Zhang, Weiye, Zhao, Junqi, Wang, Beibei, Fang, Xiaoyang, Guo, Hongwu, Liu, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Biocomposite; Carbon black; Phase change energy storage; Photothermic; Wood; Phase change energy storage; Carbon black; Wood; Photothermic; Biocomposite
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2022.112165

It is of great value to create new bio based green energy-saving and temperature regulating materials under the background of carbon peak and carbon neutralization. In this study, balsa wood was prepared by delignification as encapsulation materials to combine with polyethylene glycol based phase change materials (PCMs) to make phase change energy storage wood (PCES-Wood). In order to improve the thermal conductivity of PCES-Wood, the carbon black grafted with octadecyl isocyanate(aCB)was impregnated into the wood to obtain a thermally enhanced phase change energy storage wood (aCB-PCES@Balsa). The results show that aCB exhibited superior dispersibility and formed thermal conduction pathways in the wood. When the aCB content is 4%, the degree of supercooling of aCB-PCES@Balsa is the smallest, and the melting enthalpy and solidification enthalpy reach 100.34 J/g and 91.10 J/g, respectively. The 4% aCB-PCES@Balsa also exhibits strong hydrophobicity and full-optical-segment absorption. Under the irradiation of a simulated solar light source, the surface temperature of 4% aCB-PCES@Balsa rises rapidly to 28 °C and exhibits long-lasting heat storage capacity at low temperatures. After 200 cycles of cooling and heating, the phase change energy storage wood still maintains a high phase change enthalpy value, indicating that the aCB-PCES@Balsa has a good durability. This study provides a new approach for green heat storage in biomass composites. •Modified wood has greater porosity.•Synthetic phase change energy storage material prevents the leakage of polyethylene glycol.•Phase change energy storage wood has high phase change enthalpy.•Phase change energy storage wood has faster heat transfer capacity.•Phase change energy storage wood has strong water swelling resistance.