Composite Phase Change Materials Research Articles

Research on the effect and mechanism of composite phase change materials inhibiting low-temperature oxidation of coal

Research on the effect and mechanism of composite phase change materials inhibiting low-temperature oxidation of coal

Improving heat retention properties of steeped M-shape basin solar distillers utilizing paraffin RT50-enhanced silver nanoparticles and Manihot esculenta extracts

This research explores the development of phase change materials (PCMs) containing both organic and inorganic components in order to integrate thermal energy storage (TES) systems that are optimized for solar energy usage. The substantial interest in these materials has been sparked by the sporadic nature of solar energy consumption. Solar stills require improvements in distillate output, thermal efficiency, and lower distillate generation costs due to historically limited water production. The goal of this study is to improve these features in a steeped M-shaped basin single slope solar still (SMBSSS). The study specifically looks at the effects of a composite PCM as organic paraffin RT50 (PR) and silver nanoparticles (SN) from Manihot esculenta extracting solutions (ME), it's forming PRSNME nano-composites. It evaluates three modifications as TES materials and thermal property enhancers within SMBSSS. The key findings of the study come from SMBSSS that had 15% concentration of PRSNME installed. Notable results for the summer and winter include respectable thermal efficiency rates of 54.68 % in the summer and 44.46 % in the winter, as well as significant distillate production of 8.106 kg/m2/day and 6.357 kg/m2/day, respectively. PRSNME showed a 26 % increase in distillate yield at 15% concentration. The integration of SMBSSS with PRSNME demonstrated significant improvements in energy efficiency, with summer and winter concentrations of 7.4 % and 6.8 %, respectively, at 15 %. The incorporation of PRSNME proved to be highly effective, as evidenced by the notable 209 % increase in production when compared to the conventional solar still (CSS). An impact of 34.8 tons CO2 annually for SMBSSS was found through environmental calculations, indicating possible environmental advantages. Furthermore, cost study revealed that freshwater costs were greater for CSS (0.028 $/Litter) than for modified SMBSSS (0.014 $/Litter), indicating possible cost-effectiveness.

Highly stable mesoporous-controlled corncob biochar confined paraffinic material with exceptional latent heat retention performance

Bio-based composites fabricated from bio-sourced waste feedstocks have attracted increasing interest and have shown potential applications in sustainable energy infrastructure development. Thermal management using phase-change materials (PCMs) has appeared as an innovative approach for energy storage and cooling, where pure PCMs that lack thermal stability are encapsulated in solid matrices to ensure the charge/discharge of the latent heat of the composite. However, their energy storage density, thermal stability, and durability are reduced after multiple thermal cycles, besides the complicated and expensive nonrenewable fossil feedstock utilization. Biochar, mostly used for soil remediation, can be redirected and repurposed for the encapsulation of PCMs in renewable energy storage infrastructures. In this study, a “greener” biochar-based composite was fabricated from agricultural corncob-derived biochar (88.9 % mesopore proportion) and a commercially available paraffinic PCM (n-hexadecane) following vacuum impregnation strategies. Corncob biochar combined with hexadecane exhibited an efficient energy per unit mass of 250.6 kJ kg−1 and a latent heat retention of 110.3 % after 500 consecutive thermal cycles. In addition, the corncob biochar/hexadecane composite demonstrated high fractional crystallinity and relative latent heat efficiency (98.9 %). The composite exhibited promising chemical compatibility with composite components, stability, and competitive energy density even compared with a composite made of nonrenewable fossil-based materials, like exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets, which demonstrated reduced latent heat retention after multiple heating-cooling cycles. Intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, between the guest molecular chains and host materials played a significant role in the thermal performance of the as-synthesized composite materials. This approach will contribute to overcoming the complexities and costs of composite PCM development in thermal management and thermal energy storage applications and support and advance the UN's sustainable development goal (affordable and clean energy).

Supercooled erythritol for high-performance seasonal thermal energy storage

Seasonal storage of solar thermal energy through supercooled phase change materials (PCM) offers a promising solution for decarbonizing space and water heating in winter. Despite the high energy density and adaptability, natural PCMs often lack the necessary supercooling for stable, long-term storage. Leveraging erythritol, a sustainable mid-temperature PCM with high latent heat, we introduce a straightforward method to stabilize its supercooling by incorporating carrageenan (CG), a bio-derived food thickener. By improving the solid-liquid interfacial energy with the addition of CG the latent heat of erythritol can be effectively locked at a very low temperature. We show that the composite PCM can sustain an ultrastable supercooled state below −30 °C, which guarantees no accidental loss of the latent heat in severe cold regions on Earth. We further demonstrate that the common ultrasonication method can be used as the key to unlocking the latent heat stored in the CG-thickened erythritol, showing its great potential to serve as a high-performance, eco-friendly PCM for long-term seasonal solar energy storage.

Evaluation of carbonized cotton stalk for development of novel form stable composite phase change materials for solar thermal energy storage

Generating energy from the renewable sources is a pathway to attain sustainable energy systems. Utilizing bio-char produced from pyrolysis process as porous material would not only add great value to the waste discards, but also contributes towards enhancing the thermal properties. This work is focussed on the development of form stable phase change material (FSPCM) through a facile impregnation method by introducing cotton stalk biochar (CSB) as porous matrix along with polyethylene glycol having molar mass 10000 g/mol (PEG10000) as PCM. Cotton stalk is an agriculture waste material and biochar was produced by intermediate pyrolysis method at 550 °C. Thermal, chemical and surface characterization tests were executed on seepage free FSPCM (BCPCM4) as it showed no leakage at 60 °C. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TGA, DSC, Raman spectroscopy and BET analysis were carried out to characterize thermal, chemical and surface properties of BCPCM4. The microporous structure of CSB was able to accommodate 80 wt% of PEG10000. Surface characterization tests demonstrated that adequate amount of PEG10000 was absorbed into the pores of CSB and the crystal structure of PEG10000 was not modified. The results of TGA illustrated that BCPCM4 was thermally stable. Additionally, cotton stalk derived FSPCM displayed high heat transfer rate which indicates an increase in thermal conductivity. To substantiate thermal reliability, 500 thermal cycles were run on BCPCM4 and about 1 % variation in latent heat has been noticed with meagre change in chemical properties. Therefore, biochar derived FSPCMs would serve as promising materials to accommodate solar thermal energy.

Preparation and investigation of a prefabricated salt hydrate phase change material partition for passive solar buildings

The incorporation of phase change material (PCM) into building structures offers a pathway for passive energy storage, enabling adaptable indoor temperature control and alleviating energy consumption. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of PCM in building structures faces challenges due to extended payback periods. In this study, a novel and cost-effective salt hydrate PCM composite, comprised of calcium chloride hexahydrate–potassium chloride (CCH–KCl), was developed. Melamine foam (MF) and strontium chloride hexahydrate (SCH) were synergistically utilized to address phase separation and supercooling issues. Numerical simulations were conducted to assess the performance of the developed salt hydrate PCM composite in building partition walls. Specifically, incorporating a 20 mm-thick composite resulted in peak temperature reductions of 0.72 °C during normal operation and 1.01 °C during power outages compared to structures without PCM, accompanied by a substantial reduction in energy consumption by 5376.68 kWh/year. Moreover, the cost of the developed salt hydrate PCM is 89.33 % lower than industrial paraffin, and it reduces CO2 emissions by 1.40 kg/year/m2 compared to paraffin's 1.11 kg/year/m2. In summary, the developed salt hydrate PCM composite exhibits commendable thermal regulation and economic advantages in building applications, serving as a pivotal contributor to emission reduction efforts.

A hybrid battery thermal management system composed of MHPA/PCM/Liquid with a highly efficient cooling strategy

Hybrid battery thermal management system (BTMS) has received a lot of attention lately because of its excellent heat dissipation. However, the performance of hybrid BTMS is impacted by several elements, including basic technologies, structural design, and control methods. To improve the temperature and temperature uniformity of prismatic batteries, a novel hybrid BTMS composed of the U-shaped micro heat pipe array (U-MHPA) and the liquid cold plate filled with composite phase change material (cPCM) was proposed. Furthermore, a performance evaluation method and delayed cooling strategy were proposed and used to optimize the hybrid BTMS. Results showed that adhering a U-MHPA to the surface of the battery can effectively mitigate temperature non-uniformity in the prismatic battery. The cold plate filled with cPCM addressed the issue of significant temperature gradients parallel to the long flow direction of the cold plate. Compared to the single liquid cooling, the hybrid BTMS exhibited outstanding cooling performance under extreme operating conditions, reducing the Tmax of the battery module by 4.2 °C and the ΔTmax by 8.39 °C. The delayed cooling strategy based on the principles of phase change reduced the energy consumption of the hybrid thermal management system by 41.7%.

Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of expanded graphite/ice phase change materials through in-situ polymerization of sodium polyacrylate in cold chain logistics

The growing demand for high-quality food and medicine has propelled the expansion of the global cold chain logistics market. Passive cold chain logistics, utilizing phase change materials (PCMs), has emerged as an advanced and environmentally friendly technology. This study addresses current challenges in phase change materials, including leakage and low mechanical strength, by introducing a novel composite phase change material (cPCM) with enhanced thermal conductivity and flexibility. The expanded graphite-sodium polyacrylate (EG-PAAS) dual network framework, formed through vacuum impregnation and in-situ polymerization, results in a cPCM (H2O@EG-PAAS) with high thermal conductivity (5.64 W·m−1·K−1) and substantial latent heat (263.1 J·g−1). Addressed prolonged cooling times in phase change materials, accomplishing rapid cooling and uniform temperature distribution. The 8 L insulation box was maintained below 8 °C for 1124.1 min, rendering it a promising solution for efficient and flexible cold chain transportation.

Synthesis of Form-stable Phase Change Materials for Application in Lunch Box to Keep the Food Warm

Introduction: The invention of a lunch box with phase-change materials incorporated to keep food warm throughout work hours is the subject of this paper. Since harmful chemicals render the food unfit for consumption when they come into contact with it, the choice of phase change material is essential. Method: Adopting a healthy lifestyle now includes carrying electronic lunch boxes and ordering takeaways. Nevertheless, utilizing the electric lunch box at work is a bother. Therefore, this study discusses a prototype of a lunch box that has been created and can keep food warm after it has been packed at home for 4-5 hours. The method of preparing the PCM FS65 is discussed and its stability over thermal cycling is analyzed. objective: To synthesize phase change material composite which does not go into liquid state in melting cycle. To understand the thermal stability of the phase change material composite To prove the efficacy of the composite in lunch box for keeping the food warm Result: The thermal resistance of the insulating materials and the quantity of PCM are the two design considerations for the lunch box that have been covered in this study. To explore these, a warm food criterion at a temperature of 45°C has been used. Conclusion: This research article has discussed the ideal PCM weight required for a 5-hour retention time as well as the ideal insulating material to make the least bulky lunch box design.

Preparation and characterization of expanded dickite/decanoic acid phase-change materials

The leakage of phase-change materials presents a significant challenge that impedes their application. Loading porous materials onto phase-change materials is an effective approach to addressing this issue. In this study, porous expanded dickite as a carrier was utilized to load decanoic acid and create a composite phase-change material. The loading content of decanoic acid was varied to obtain different composite phase-change materials. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonds between the expanded dickite carrier and decanoic acid. Scanning electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping results demonstrated that decanoic acid was evenly dispersed on the expanded dickite carrier without any agglomeration. The expanded dickite carrier effectively immobilized decanoic acid through hydrogen bonding, thereby preventing leakage, as long as the loading content of decanoic acid did not exceed 60%. The higher thermal conductivity of the expanded dickite carrier promoted the thermal conductivity of the expanded dickite/decanoic acid composite phase-change materials, enhancing the responsiveness of the composite phase-change materials to ambient temperature. The composite phase-change material containing 60 wt% decanoic acid exhibited excellent endothermic/exothermic cycle stability, and after six cycles, its latent heat remained stable.

Performance evaluation of new epoxy resin-based composite phase change materials and their asphalt mixture

In recent years, the temperature-adjusted asphalt pavement has been an extensive concern by scholars in various countries, and this pavement can reduce temperature-related diseases. In this study, the shaped composite phase change materials (CPCMs) were successfully synthesized by two processes, which are vacuum impregnation and epoxy curing. Firstly, the applicability of CPCMs in asphalt mixtures was evaluated by microscopic characterization, chemical compatibility, thermal properties, durability, and leakage stability. Secondly, CPCMs were applied to the asphalt mixture to evaluate its temperature-adjusted characteristics and pavement performance. Finally, the performance of the temperature-adjusted asphalt mixture was analyzed by integrating all factors. The research shows that the prepared CPCMs have excellent thermal properties and durability, the phase transition temperature is 48.93 °C, and the phase transition enthalpy is 106.5 J/g, which fully meets the requirements for use in pavement. The temperature-adjusted asphalt mixture could alleviate the occurrence of extreme temperature, which was 4.9 °C lower than the conventional mixture. The pavement performance of the temperature-adjusted asphalt mixture can meet the specified standards for humid areas. Considering the factors, the recommended amount of CPCMs is 1.5%. The research results provide a basis for the promotion of temperature-adjusted asphalt pavement and effectively support the development of pavement engineering technology.

Recent progress on battery thermal management with composite phase change materials

AbstractElectric mobility decarbonizes the transportation sector and effectively addresses sustainable development goals. A good battery thermal management system (BTMS) is essential for the safe working of electric vehicles with lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to address thermal runaway and associated catastrophic hazards effectively. However, PCMs suffer from low thermal conductivity issues, and hence, enhancement techniques include the use of fins, nano‐additives, extended graphite powder, and so forth. The use of composite phase change materials effectively addresses LIB thermal management widely used in electric vehicles while mitigating thermal runaway, besides providing flame retardancy, thermal/mechanical stability, and electrical insulation, and preventing leakage. It is noted that no single strategy of BTMS is brought down to a safe zone of temperature, and hybrid BTMSs are being employed, invariably involve phase change materials (PCMs) to a large extent. It is essential to utilize CPCMs to address the effects of low‐temperature environments and vibrations considering vehicle driving cycles and operating conditions. It is observed from the review that ultrasonic monitoring and early detection of internal short circuits are the steps towards mitigation of thermal runaway propagation. It is required to utilize optimization methods, machine learning and IoT tools for a feasible PCM based BTMS work. Present review briefly describes potential methods for effective utilization of PCMs, comparison among different methods, challenges associated and potential solutions. It is highly essential to develop compact and economical BTMS with effective CPCMs for better and safer LIB operation to attract large‐scale commercialization of electric vehicles.

Multifunction integration within magnetic CNT-bridged MXene/CoNi based phase change materials

Developing advanced nanocomposite phase change materials (PCMs) integrating zero-energy thermal management, microwave absorption, photothermal therapy and electrical signal detection can promote the leapfrog development of flexible wearable electronic devices. For this goal, we propose a multidimensional collaborative strategy combining two-dimensional (2D) MXene nanosheets with metal-organic framework-derived one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and zero-dimensional (0D) metal nanoparticles. After encapsulating paraffin wax (PW) in three-dimensional (3D) networked multidimensional MXene/CoNi–C, the resulting composite PCMs exhibit excellent thermal energy storage capacity and long-term thermally reliable stability. Benefiting from the synergistically enhanced photothermal effects of CNTs, Co/Ni nanoparticles and MXene, PW@MXene/CoNi–C can capture photons efficiently and transfer phonons quickly, yielding an ultrahigh photothermal conversion and storage efficiency of 97.5%. Additionally, PW@MXene/CoNi–C composite PCMs exhibit high microwave absorption with a minimum reflection loss of −49.3 ​dB at 8.03 ​GHz in heat-related electronic application scenarios. More attractively, the corresponding flexible phase change film can simultaneously achieve thermal management and electromagnetic shielding of electronic devices, as well as photothermal therapy and electrical signal detection for individuals. This functional integration design provides an important reference for developing advanced flexible multifunctional wearable materials and devices.

Carbon-decorated diatomite stabilized lauric acid-stearic acid as composite phase change materials for photo-to-thermal conversion and storage

Diatomite is a promising supporting matrix in the preparation of composite phase change material for latent thermal energy storage. Raw diatomite has the advantages of porous space but with a shortage of thermal conductivity than carbon materials. In this work, the carbon-decorated diatomite (DC) matrix was synthesized by a novel template-carbonization method at different calcination temperatures of 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C. Then, the matrix was used to stabilize binary lauric-stearic acid of LA-SA for the preparation of diatomite-based composite phase change material which is used to explore the application of composite in photo-to-thermal conversion/storage. Results show that the carbon-decorated process on diatomite causes an increment of specific surface area and pore space. Thus, more phase change material being loaded in the matrix leads to a larger heat storage capacity of the composite. The designed composite with a matrix carbonization temperature of 1000 °C, LA-SA/DC-1000, has a loadage of 49.92 %, melting temperature of 31.48 °C, and latent heat of 70.07 J g-1 which is improved by 23 %. Compared with the raw diatomite-based composite, the enhancements of thermal conductivity were 90 % for that of LA-SA/DC-1000. Moreover, the corresponding composite exhibits better photo-to-thermal conversion performance and transient temperature response.

Polyethylene glycol/melamine foam composite phase change materials modified by CdS/Ag exhibits high photothermal conversion performance

CdS has been shown to be an excellent photon trap with strong absorption of light at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The use of CdS for phase change material (PCM) modification can significantly improve its photothermal conversion performance. However, due to the unique energy band structure of CdS, the difficulty in electron conduction leads to poor thermal conductivity. This problem can be improved by introducing high thermal conductivity nanometals for modification, however, the effective combination of CdS and nanometals has been challenging. In this study, a new preparation strategy is demonstrated, in which Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with similar lattice parameters and crystalline coordination to CdS is first introduced on the surface of carbonized melamine foam (CMF), followed by the introduction of CdS NPs. This similar structure helps to form a better interfacial bond between CdS and Ag. The resulting stabilized structure enables the composite phase change material (CPCM) to achieve 96.1 % PEG loading with an ultra-high photothermal conversion efficiency of 94.6 %, thermal conductivity of 0.61 W/m∙K, and excellent antimicrobial activity. This study provides valuable guidance for the engineering design of CPCM with high photothermal conversion performance and suggests its practical application value in seawater evaporation and thermal management of medical devices.

A novel stereotyped phase change material with a low leakage rate for new energy storage building applications

Phase change materials (PCM) have been widely studied in the field of building energy storage. However, industrial grade high latent heat phase change paraffin (PW) has the problem of high melting point and easy leakage, and at the same time, it is necessary to absorb municipal solid waste on a large scale and reduce the damage of waste cellular concrete (WCC) to the urban ecological environment. Using binary paraffin wax (BP) prepared by hot fusion of solid paraffin (SP) and liquid paraffin (LP) as composite phase change materials, polypropylene (PP) and porous material WCC as support materials, a new WCC/PP/BP stereotyped phase change material (FCPCM) with low leakage rate and good stability was prepared by melt blending method and vacuum adsorption method, to meet the energy storage needs of buildings. The chemical compatibility, thermal performance and morphological stability of the prepared FCPCM were tested, and the heat storage/release performance test experiments were carried out to explore the thermal performance of the prepared energy storage concrete. The results show that the Encapsulated WCC/PP/BP has no new substance and good chemical compatibility. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mercury injection instrument (MIP) show that WCC has good adsorption properties for PP/BP. The melting phase change temperature increases by 14.08%, the latent heat of phase change decreases by 42.94%, and the initial phase change thermal properties are still maintained after several phases of phase change. It can maintain a stable form at 150℃. The 24 h leakage rate remained below 1%, which was nearly 44% lower than that of FCPCM with PP as the support material. Thermogravimetric curve (TGA) shows that the thermal stability of encapsulated FCPCM increases by 25.59%. In addition, the thermal performance test of energy storage concrete shows that compared with traditional concrete, energy storage concrete has greater heat storage density and stronger temperature control ability, which can effectively realize building energy saving.

Experimental exploration of nano-phase change material composites for thermal management in Lithium-ion batteries

The present study reports an experimental investigation carried out for the thermal management of cylindrical lithium-ion battery simulators using aluminum oxide (nano particle)-eicosane (phase change material) composites. The experiment involves varying the power input from 4 to 10 W in 2 W increments and adjusting the weight percentage of nanoparticles (wt%) from 0.5 to 0.9 in 0.2 wt% intervals. The examination of battery temperature evolutions in response to heating power, a comprehensive heat transfer analysis incorporating the Nusselt number, the determination of the maximum temperature difference, thermal resistance analysis, and the exploration of temperature variations in the absence of Phase Change Material (PCM) are considered. The results show that an increase in the weight percentage of alumina nanoparticles in phase-change material cannot always improve the thermal performance. The results of the present study give guidelines for designing battery thermal management systems. The power levels used in the experiment vary from 4 W to 10 W in steps of 2 W. For a power level of 4 W, the heat flux is 1.088 kW/m2, and for a power level of 10 W, the heat flux is 2.72 kW/m2.

A comparative analysis on charging performance of triplex-tube heat exchanger under various configurations of composite phase change material

In present work, the melting performance of triplex-tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) unit was numerically studied using equal volumes of PCM and metal foam composite PCM (CPCM) in various arrangements. For the n-eicosane (as PCM), the study was conducted at the fixed Rayleigh number (Ra) = 4.08x107, Prandtl number (Pr) = 62.9, and Stefan number (Ste) = 0.14. The results showed that positioning the metal foam on the bottom side and distributing segmented CPCM with alternating PCM zones effectively improved the system performance. Moreover, this also prevents the overheating of thermal layers in the LHTES unit. While the model labelled M2 exhibited the highest economic efficiency among all isotropic models, its low dimensionless thermal energy storage (TES) density (i.e., q’ ∼ 0.6) led this study to focus on models falling under the category having a TES density of ∼ 0.8. Compared to a pure PCM model, the configurations under equal volume ratio category demonstrated up to ∼ four times higher TES rate (p’) and the significant reduction of ∼ 75 % in melting time. The optimized isotropic model achieved the highest TES rate per unit cost with peak value of ∼ 3 at a price ratio (N) of 1. Lastly, the testing of metal foam anisotropy on the chosen design showed a substantial increase in melting/heat storage rates. The largest drop of ∼ 33 % in the total melting time was noticed for model M2 as compared to isotropic case.

Exploring the Thermal Potential of Shape Stabilized Graphene Nano Platelets Enhanced Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage

Low thermal conductivity and liquid phase leakage impede the widespread adoption of phase change materials (PCMs). To enhance PCM performance and practical viability, addressing these limitations is crucial. Current study addresses low thermal conductivity and leakage issues. Enhanced thermal conductivity in PCMs is achieved by adding graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), while expanded graphite (EG) acts as a leak‐proof barrier. The composite PCM (ss‐NePCM) composite is developed by ultra‐sonication followed by vacuum impregnation process. The samples underwent comprehensive analysis: thermal conductivity (TEMPOs), chemical composition (FTIR), photo‐transmittance (UV–Vis), and thermal stability (TGA). The results show that the composite with 0.6 wt% GnP (NePCM3) has the highest thermal conductivity enhancement of ≈112% while adding 15 wt% EG (ss‐NePCM3) diminishes leakage problem. According to the optical performance assessment, the composite exhibits a notable increase in absorbance of 116% higher than that of the base PCM. However, due to the introduction of additives, the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) detected a minor variation from 154 to 144.76 J g−1 in the latent heat. Furthermore, the composite demonstrates chemical stability and thermal reliability following 250 heating and cooling cycles. The ss‐NePCM holds promise for thermal systems, where leakage could jeopardize system integrity.

High performance composite phase change materials enhanced via evaporation-induced hydrogen bond network refactoring

Composite phase change materials (CPCMs) with real-time thermal harvesting are in high demand in the solar-thermal energy conversion industry. However, poor heat conduction, lack of strength and leakage problem severely restrict its availability. In this study, we develop an evaporation-inspired, facile, and versatile strategy for manufacturing shape stable CPCMs from organohydrogels with enhanced thermal performances for advanced thermal energy storage and management. Organohyodrogels contained with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) served as the template. By oven-drying the organohydrogel, hydrogen bonding reconstruction would assist in the formation of a dense polymer layer to encapsulate PCMs, forming the non-leakage CPCMs. The strong capillary force generated during the oven-drying process would induce the alignment of GNPs, forming thermal conduction pathways. The as-prepared composite exhibits a high thermal conductivity (1.25 W m-1K−1), satisfactory latent heat storage (171.5 J g−1) and excellent Young’s modulus (8.3 MPa). When subjected to solar radiation, solar energy is converted to heat and stored inside the material, with a conversion efficiency as high as 95.8 %. The robust composite with high performance is expected to be an efficient and reliable thermal management material in solar-thermal energy conversion.