The effect of different nanoshells on the solar–thermal conversion of microencapsulated phasechange material

Abstract

Solar-absorbing metamaterial can be used as an outside surface shell of microcapsules of phase-change materials (PCMs), to manipulate thermoregulation through solar–thermal conversion for heating up the PCM while taking advantage of latent heat that can be stored or released from the PCM over a tunable temperature range. To enable further modification of the performance of microencapsulated PCM for different applications, this paper presents a new design with one more layer of the shell added between the metamaterial outer surface and the PCM. The added shell can be made with Mg (AZ31), Ti-6Al-4V, Al, Cu or SS304. The effect of these different shell materials on the solar–thermal conversion of microencapsulated PCM is analysed and demonstrated. Different shell materials can be chosen to enhance high temperature-resistance, corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity and flame retardant capability in thermoregulating structures and in a variety of solar energy applications for such areas as construction, transportation and textiles. Such micromicroencapsulated PCMs may open up new routes to modify thermoregulating structures with novel properties and added value, and represent a breakthrough concept in solar energy conversion, thermal storage and novel thermoregulating technologies.