Hierarchical microencapsulation of phase change material with carbon-nanotubes/polydopamine/silica shell for synergistic enhancement of solar photothermal conversion and storage

Aiming at improving the utilization efficiency of solar photothermal energy, this study focuses on a novel phase-change microcapsule system based on an n-docosane core and a carbon-nanotubes (CNTs)/polydopamine (PDA)/silica hierarchical shell. The system was fabricated by encapsulating n-docosane in a silica shell and then depositing a PDA layer on the shell surface, followed by conglutinating CNTs onto the PDA layer. The resultant microcapsule system shows a regular spherical morphology together with desired core-shell hierarchical microstructure and chemical compositions. The presence of CNTs/PDA coating layer can impart an efficient solar light-to-heat energy conversion capability to the microcapsule system through photon capture and sunlight absorption. The microcapsule system not only shows a good latent heat-storage capability with satisfactory phase-change enthalpies of over 130 J/g but also exhibits an optimal photothermal conversion efficiency of 90.1%. The microcapsule system also exhibits good leakage-prevention performance, high thermal cycle stability, excellent thermal impact resistance, and good shape/form stability to deal with a wide range of solar photothermal energy applications. Through integrating CNTs and PDA into a phase-change microcapsule system, this work provides a promising approach for the development of PCMs-based functional materials with enhanced solar light-to-heat energy conversion and storage performance for efficient utilization of solar energy.