Coral-like carbon modified copper foam reinforced phase change composite has high efficiency solar-thermal-electric conversion performance

Abstract

To enhance the thermal conductivity, shape stability, and solar-thermal conversion of organic phase change materials (PCMs), specifically paraffin wax (PW), this study examined the impact of coral-like carbon modification on the thermal conductivity, phase change characteristics, and solar-thermal conversion efficiency of copper foam (CF)-based phase change composites (PCCs). Surface modification of Cu organic complexes on CF led to the successful creation of coral-like carbon-modified CF (CF@CC) via high-temperature carbonization. PCCs were then fabricated by impregnating PW into CF@CC using vacuum impregnation. The thermal conductivity of CF@CC@PW significantly increased to 2150 % of PW's and was 159 % higher than that of CF@PW. DSC tests revealed that CF@CC@PW had the similar phase change temperature as pure PW, demonstrating excellent cycling stability. Under simulated sunlight, CF@CC@PW showed superior solar-thermal conversion, with a temperature increase of 22.4 °C higher than pure PW, and CF@CC@PW can produce 89.4 mV stable current in the process of temperature difference power generation. Additionally, CF@CC@PW exhibited good shape stability with only a 1.5 % leakage rate. In conclusion, using coral-like carbon-modified CF as a supporting scaffold for PCCs effectively improved thermal conductivity and solar-thermal conversion, offering innovative insights for the development of advanced thermal management materials and solar energy utilization, including building energy efficiency.