Solar-thermal conversion and thermal energy storage of graphene foam-based composite
Type
ArticleAuthors
Zhang, Lianbin
Li, Renyuan

Tang, Bo

Wang, Peng

KAUST Department
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) DivisionEnvironmental Science and Engineering Program
Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC)
Date
2016Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/617090
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Among various utilizations of solar energy, solar-thermal conversion has recently gained renewed research interest due to its extremely high energy efficiency. However, one limiting factor common to all solar-based energy conversion technologies is the intermittent nature of solar irradiation, which makes them unable to stand-alone to satisfy continuous energy need. Herein, we report a three-dimensional (3D) graphene foam and phase change material (PCM) composite for the seamlessly combined solar-thermal conversion and thermal storage for sustained energy release. The composite is obtained by infiltrating the 3D graphene foam with a commonly used PCM, paraffin wax. The high macroporosity and low density of the graphene foam allow for high weight fraction of the PCM to be incorporated, which enhances heat storage capacity of the composite. The interconnected graphene sheets in the composite provide (1) the solar-thermal conversion capability, (2) high thermal conductivity and (3) form stability of the composite. Under light irradiation, the composite effectively collects and converts the light energy into thermal energy, and the converted thermal energy is stored in the PCM and released in an elongated period of time for sustained utilization. This study provides a promising route for sustainable utilization of solar energy.Citation
Solar-thermal conversion and thermal energy storage of graphene foam-based composite 2016 NanoscaleSponsors
The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) CRG-3.Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)Journal
NanoscalePubMed ID
27430282Additional Links
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2016/NR/C6NR03921Aae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1039/C6NR03921A
Scopus Count
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