Microwave-Heated Graphene Realizes Ultrafast Energy Conversion and Thermal Storage

Abstract

Thermal energy storage using common phase change materials (PCMs) usually suffers from a long time consumption, uneven temperature, and low efficiency. An electromagnetic induction heating method with the advantages of rapidness and heating from the inside out might mitigate these issues. Two-dimensional graphene owns a single atomic layer structure and a large number of exposed chemical bonds; therefore, making fast electromagnetic wave absorption and thermal conduction becomes possible. Herein, we realized a fast, uniform, and repeatable thermal conversion through microwave heating graphene and paraffin composite. Graphene acts as a bridge for linking microwaves and paraffin. It absorbs microwaves as a result of the existence of microenergy levels and transmits energy to paraffin in the form of thermal energy. As a consequence, the composite can be rapidly heated to the phase transition temperature (58 °C) within 1 min and the thermal effect can be maintained after 30 cycles. The enthalpy of composite is 190.04 J g −1 , even with 1 wt % loading of graphene. Moreover, this method can be safely handled in the air because the composite has almost no mass loss below 159.9 °C. In summary, the proposed strategy of microwaveheated graphene−PCMs has great application potential in thermal management and energy conversion.

Graphene triggered catalytic attack on plastic waste produces graphitic shell encapsulation on cobalt nanoparticles for ferromagnetism and stable Li+ ion storage

“…In this technique, the electromagnetic heating of microwave-absorbing materials is rapid having high dielectric loss tangents, and the microwave energy, transformed immediately into heat throughout the sample, results in effective microwave heating. 22–24 Graphene has the unique characteristics of excellent electromagnetic conduction and high thermal conductivity (5300 W m −1 K −1 ) compared to traditional carbon materials, viz. , active carbon and graphite.…”

“…In this technique, the electromagnetic heating of microwaveabsorbing materials is rapid having high dielectric loss tangents, and the microwave energy, transformed immediately into heat throughout the sample, results in effective microwave heating. [22][23][24] Graphene has the unique characteristics of excellent electromagnetic conduction and high thermal conductivity (5300 W m −1 K −1 ) compared to traditional carbon materials, viz., active carbon and graphite. [25][26][27][28][29][30] Thus, graphene has been used as a microwave absorbing material, and it has also been used to develop graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composites, 31 strontium ferrite-carbon black-nitrile latex composites, 32 graphene coated/Fe nanocomposites, 33 and frequency selective radar absorbing materials 34 for applications such as shields or to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and minimize the radar-cross section of military vehicles (ships, tanks, and aircra).…”

Facile Microwave-Impulse Synthesis of Multifunctional rGO/MoS2/MoO2 Composites as a Permselective Separator-Coating Layer for Li–S Batteries

“…Our group has applied the microwave method to the ultrafast preparation of holey graphene and rGO/S cathode, as well as thermal storage . In the present work, a multifunctional rGO/MoS 2 /MoO 2 composite (mwGMSMO) was prepared through the microwave method and then employed as coating layers over commercial polypropylene (pp) membranes for LSBs.…”

“…Our group has applied the microwave method to the ultrafast preparation of holey graphene 45 and rGO/S cathode, 46 as well as thermal storage. 47 In the present work, a m u l t i f u n c t i o n a l r G O / M o S 2 / M o O 2 c o m p o s i t e (mwGMSMO) was prepared through the microwave method and then employed as coating layers over commercial polypropylene (pp) membranes for LSBs. The mwGMSMOcoated pp (mwGMSMO@pp) separator could synchronously capture and reuse LPSs on account of the synergistic effect of the different components of the heterostructure.…”