Scalable synthesis of paraffin@MoS2-melamine foam composite phase change materials with superior photo-thermal conversion and storage

Phase change materials (PCMs) are vital for solar-thermal conversion and energy storage in the field of clean energy utilization. However, the preparation of high-performance PCMs with superior photo-thermal conversion on a large scale remains challenging. In this work, an inexpensive, scalable, and facile strategy for preparing composite PCMs with high photo-thermal conversion efficiency was presented. The PW@MoS2-MF composite PCMs were synthesized by the covalent and non-covalent topological adhesion on melamine foam (MF) of MoS2 as photo-thermal additives and the vacuum impregnation of paraffin wax (PW). The results showed that MoS2, MF, and PW were bonded physically. The PW@MoS2-MF composite PCMs had good shape stability, thermal stability, and cycle stability. Most importantly, the PW loading capacity of the PW@10MoS2-MF was up to 88.97 %, and the corresponding phase change enthalpy and melting temperature were 188.95 J/g and 47.44 °C, respectively. In addition, the PW@10MoS2-MF could convert sunlight to thermal energy and then store it in the composite PCM. A superior photo-thermal conversion and storage efficiency of 95 % could be achieved. These excellent properties would endow the PW@10MoS2-MF composite PCM with a bright prospect in the popularization and industrialization of solar heat storage and utilization.