Metal-organic framework derived magnetic phase change nanocage for fast-charging solar-thermal energy conversion

Efficient capture, conversion and storage of solar energy has been a long-term pursuit facing the green and low-carbon strategic goal. Nevertheless, fast-charging solar-thermal conversion and sustainable stable energy output are the key challenges in current solar-thermal energy storage systems. Herein, we rationally designed a sustainable stable and fast-charging solar-driven energy storage system that can simultaneously supply electricity and heat by integrating phase change materials (PCMs) and metal-organic framework (MOF) derived magnetic Co-decorated hybrid graphitic carbon and N-doped carbon (Co-GC@NC) nanocage. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between magnetic Co nanoparticles and GC@NC carbon hybrid, the resultant magnetic carbon nanocage demonstrates superior full-spectrum absorption and Co-GC@NC-based composite PCMs exhibit a high solar-thermal conversion efficiency of 90.7%. More attractively, the solar-thermal energy conversion and storage efficiency of Co-GC@NC-based composite PCMs is significantly enhanced by 115.8% due to the excellent magnetic manipulation ability of nanocage when a magnetic field was applied. Meanwhile, the designed solar-thermal energy conversion and storage system achieves a maximum output voltage of 290 mV and current of 92.6 mA. This magnetic nanocage-accelerated strategy provides constructive insights into the targeted construction of sustainable and stable fast-charging solar-driven energy storage systems. • MOF derived graphitic carbon nanocage integrating PCMs is firstly developed for solar-thermal-electric energy storage. • The solar-thermal conversion efficiency can be efficiently improved under the synergy of solar and magnetic fields. • The mechanism of reinforced solar-thermal energy conversion performance is given and verified by FEM simulations.