Composite Phase Change Material Supported by Cu Nanoparticles@Carbon Porous Matrix for Photo-Thermal Energy Storage

The utilization of the paraffin phase change material (PCM) in solar energy storage systems is limited by its low thermal conductivity, easy leakage, and insensitivity to solar energy. In the present study, the solution combustion synthesis method was applied to fabricate a porous carbon matrix that is embedded with Cu nanoparticles (Cu@C). The shape-stabilized composite PCM was prepared by vacuum impregnation of liquified paraffin. The paraffin/Cu@C composite retained a high latent heat storage enthalpy of 148.2 J/g. The thermal conductivity of the composite was increased to 145% compared to that of pure paraffin. Due to the strong capillary absorption feature of the porous matrix, the composite also indicated a good anti-leakage property. Additionally, the Cu@C matrix also endowed the composite PCMs with good photo-thermal transformation capability, implying their potential application in solar thermal energy storage.