Silver/Polypyrrole-Functionalized Polyurethane Foam Embedded Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Conversion of solar energy into thermal energy stored in phase change materials (PCMs) can effectively relieve the energy dilemma and improve energy utilization efficiency. However, facile fabrication of form-stable PCMs (FSPCMs) to achieve simultaneously energetic solar–thermal, conversion and storage remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a desirable solar–thermal energy conversion and storage system that utilizes paraffin (PW) as energy-storage units, the silver/polypyrrole-functionalized polyurethane (PU) foam as the cage and energy conversion platform to restrain the fluidity of the melting paraffin and achieve high solar–thermal energy conversion efficiency (93.7%) simultaneously. The obtained FSPCMs possess high thermal energy storage density (187.4 J/g) and an excellent leak-proof property. In addition, 200 accelerated solar–thermal energy conversion-cycling tests demonstrated that the resultant FSPCMs had excellent cycling durability and reversible solar–thermal energy conversion ability, which offered a potential possibility in the field of solar energy utilization technology.

Preparation and properties of phase-change materials with enhanced radial thermal conductivities based on anisotropic graphene aerogels

“…The thermal conductivity of the graphene foam silver composite (GF/Ag) was enhanced by 54%, which was also lower than the enhancement effect in this paper. Fan et al 19 coated silver/polypyrrole composites on polyurethane PU foam skeletons and the maximum thermal conductivity was 144% higher than that of the pure paraffin, which was far lower than the 379% in this paper. Lv et al 8 reported a novel reduced graphene oxide aerogel (rGAA) encapsulated PCM by introducing a high aspect ratio of silver nanowires (AgNWs) to a reduced graphene oxide aerogel (rGA).…”

Thermal properties and applications of form‐stable phase change materials for thermal energy storage and thermal management: A review

“…Li et al 46 synthesized FSPCM with superior flame retardancy by adding triazine char forming agent (CFA) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to paraffin/polypropylene. Fan et al 45 coated silver/polypyrrole composites with good photo‐thermal converting capacity and thermal conductivity on polyurethane (PU) foam to prepare a silver/polypyrrole‐functionalized polyurethane (PU) foam skeleton. Paraffin wax was then incorporated into silver/polypyrrole‐functionalized polyurethane (PU) foam to synthesize the FSPCM with photo‐thermal converting effectiveness of 93.7%.…”

Development of polymeric insulating foams for low‐temperature thermal energy storage applications

“…Polyurethane can be also produced as flexible foam, rubber, and rigid resin, to be applied in shipbuilding, sports, footwear, and automotive sector. [20][21][22] Polyurethanes can be obtained by the reaction between isocyanates and polyols in presence of a catalyst. 23 Several types of isocyanates can be used, like toluene-diisocyanate (TDI) and methylene-diphenyldiisocyanate (MDI).…”

“…In the refrigeration sector, PUF is typically sprayed between the inner and outer envelope of freezers free to expand, but it can also be produced as panels for other use like in buildings. Polyurethane can be also produced as flexible foam, rubber, and rigid resin, to be applied in shipbuilding, sports, footwear, and automotive sector 20–22 . Polyurethanes can be obtained by the reaction between isocyanates and polyols in presence of a catalyst 23 .…”