Enhanced properties of phase change material -SiO2-graphene nanocomposite for developing structural–functional integrated cement for solar energy absorption and storage

Abstract The global transition to renewable energy leads to improve energy security, advance economic development, improve access to energy, and mitigate global climate change. Sustainable development is possible by the use of sustainable energy and by ensuring access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy. However, the most renewable energy sources are intermittent and this intermittency can be tackled by the use of energy storage. Here, a novel form stable phase change material (PCM) nanocomposite was designed for solar energy absorption and storage in the building. N-nonadecane as PCM, SiO2 nanoparticles as supporting materials, and graphene as thermal conductivity promoter were used to obtain n-nonadecane-SiO2 –graphene nanocomposite. The surface morphology, chemical structure, and thermal features of the produced nanocomposite were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The created nanocomposite can store 120.40 J/g when it undergoes phase change process and it also has outstanding cycling thermal reliability and chemical stability even after 500 cycles. In addition, the solar energy absorption and storage rate of the cement board integrated with obtained nanocomposite was enhanced due to the improved interfacial thermal transfer by graphene compared to the cement-only board under equivalent conditions. Furthermore, the findings of the model room test advocated that the cement wallboard with 10% PCM nanocomposite reduced indoor temperature variations and therefore, this nanocomposite can be used in the renewable solar energy storage systems, thermal comfort applications, and energy management.