Low-cost carbon foam as a practical support for organic phase change materials in thermal management

In this research work, a low-cost commercial melamine derived porous carbon foam (CF) was used as a support for three different organic phase change materials (PCMs), including polyethylene glycol (PEG), paraffin (PA), and palmitic acid (PAA). Structural and thermal properties of the novel PCMs composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The obtained CF/PEG, CF/PA, and CF/PAA composites displayed a considerable latent thermal storage capacity of 145.7, 124 and 198.2 J g−1, respectively. The prepared CF/PA showed a better cycle ability than other composites after 200 frequent heating/cooling cycles. The CF/PA composite was effectively integrated with electrical heaters in the test room and led to energy peak load shifting and temperature fluctuation prevention. The black color of the CF/PA composite caused a significant increase in light absorbance and thereby the high light-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency (95%). In addition to high light absorbance, the obtained CF/PA composite could provide domestic hot water (DHW) for a building with an efficiency of 88.1%.