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Carbon Dot-Modulated Phase-Change Composites for Wide Temperature Range and High-Density Heat Storage and Release

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  • Jingya Liang

    (Research Group of New Energy Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China)

  • Ning Li

    (Research Group of New Energy Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China)

  • Jie Wu

    (School of Applied Science, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China)

  • Qing Chang

    (Research Group of New Energy Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China)

  • Jinlong Yang

    (Research Group of New Energy Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
    State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, Nancun Town, Zezhou County, Jincheng 048012, China
    State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Shengliang Hu

    (Research Group of New Energy Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Coal and CBM Co-Mining, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China)

Abstract

Organic phase-change materials (PCMs) offer great promise in addressing challenges in thermal energy storage and heat management, but their applications are greatly limited by low energy density and a rigid phase transition temperature. Herein, by introducing carbon dots (CDs) with abundant oxygen-related groups, we develop a novel kind of erythritol (ET)-based composite PCMs (CD-ETs) featuring an enhanced latent heat storage capacity and a reduced degree of supercooling compared to pure ETs. The optimally formulated CD-ETs increase the latent heat storage capacity from 377.3 to 410.2 J·g −1 and the heat release capacity from 209.0 to 240.2 J·g −1 compared to the pristine ETs. Moreover, the subcooled degree of CD-ETs is more than 30 °C lower than that of pristine ETs. By successively encapsulating CD-ETs and CD-containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a low melting point in a reduced graphene oxide-modified melamine sponge, the resultant shape-stabilized system not only prevents leakage of molten PCMs but also allows for a wide response temperature window and promotes the heat transfer ability of melted PEG in close contact with solid CD-ETs. Stepped melting and crystallization guarantee phase changes in high-melting-point ETs via solar heating, Joule heating or a combination thereof. Specifically, the melting enthalpy of this system is as high as 306.5 J·g −1 , and its cold crystallization enthalpy reaches 196.5 J·g −1 , surpassing numerous organic PCMs. This work provides a facile and efficient strategy for the design of ideal thermal energy storage materials to meet the needs of application scenarios in a cost-effective manner.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingya Liang & Ning Li & Jie Wu & Qing Chang & Jinlong Yang & Shengliang Hu, 2025. "Carbon Dot-Modulated Phase-Change Composites for Wide Temperature Range and High-Density Heat Storage and Release," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2597-:d:1657872
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dong, Kaixin & Sheng, Nan & Zou, Deqiu & Wang, Cheng & Shimono, Kenji & Akiyama, Tomohiro & Nomura, Takahiro, 2020. "A high-thermal-conductivity, high-durability phase-change composite using a carbon fibre sheet as a supporting matrix," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    2. Zahir, Md. Hasan & Mohamed, Shamseldin A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2019. "Supercooling of phase-change materials and the techniques used to mitigate the phenomenon," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 793-817.
    3. Xinghui Zhang & Qili Shi & Lingai Luo & Yilin Fan & Qian Wang & Guanguan Jia, 2021. "Research Progress on the Phase Change Materials for Cold Thermal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-46, December.
    4. Shamseddine, I. & Pennec, F. & Biwole, P. & Fardoun, F., 2022. "Supercooling of phase change materials: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
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