Enhanced properties of stone coal-based composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Phase change materials (PCMs) can be incorporated with low-cost minerals to synthesize composites for thermal energy storage in building applications.Stone coal (SC) after vanadium extraction treatment shows potential for secondary utilization in composite preparation.We prepared SC-based composite PCMs with SC as a matrix,stearic acid (SA) as a PCM,and expanded graphite (EG) as an additive.The combined roasting and acid leaching treatment of raw SC was conducted to understand the effect of vanadium extraction on promoting loading capacity.Results showed that the combined treatment of roasting at 900℃ and leaching increased the SC loading of the composite by 6.2%by improving the specific surface area.The loading capacity and thermal conductivity of the composite obviously increased by 127%and 48.19%,respectively,due to the contribution of 3wt% EG.These data were supported by the high load of 66.69%and thermal conductivity of 0.59 W·m^(-1)·K-1of the designed composite.The obtained composite exhibited a phase change temperature of 52.17℃,melting latent heat of 121.5 J·g^(-1),and good chemical compatibility.The SC-based composite has prospects in building applications exploiting the secondary utilization of minerals.

High‑Entropy Electrode Materials:Synthesis,Properties and Outlook

High-entropy materials represent a new category of high-performance materials,first proposed in 2004 and extensively investigated by researchers over the past two decades.The definition of high-entropy materials has continuously evolved.In the last ten years,the discovery of an increasing number of high-entropy materials has led to significant advancements in their utilization in energy storage,electrocatalysis,and related domains,accompanied by a rise in techniques for fabricating high-entropy electrode materials.Recently,the research emphasis has shifted from solely improving the performance of high-entropy materials toward exploring their reaction mechanisms and adopting cleaner preparation approaches.However,the current definition of high-entropy materials remains relatively vague,and the preparation method of high-entropy materials is based on the preparation method of single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials.It should be noted that not all methods applicable to single metal/low-or medium-entropy materials can be directly applied to high-entropy materials.In this review,the definition and development of high-entropy materials are briefly reviewed.Subsequently,the classification of high-entropy electrode materials is presented,followed by a discussion of their applications in energy storage and catalysis from the perspective of synthesis methods.Finally,an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of various synthesis methods in the production process of different high-entropy materials is provided,along with a proposal for potential future development directions for high-entropy materials.

Nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining of difficult-to-cut materials and components in aerospace community:a comparative analysis

The aerospace community widely uses difficult-to-cut materials,such as titanium alloys,high-temperature alloys,metal/ceramic/polymer matrix composites,hard and brittle materials,and geometrically complex components,such as thin-walled structures,microchannels,and complex surfaces.Mechanical machining is the main material removal process for the vast majority of aerospace components.However,many problems exist,including severe and rapid tool wear,low machining efficiency,and poor surface integrity.Nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining is a hybrid process that uses nontraditional energies(vibration,laser,electricity,etc)to improve the machinability of local materials and decrease the burden of mechanical machining.This provides a feasible and promising method to improve the material removal rate and surface quality,reduce process forces,and prolong tool life.However,systematic reviews of this technology are lacking with respect to the current research status and development direction.This paper reviews the recent progress in the nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining of difficult-to-cut materials and components in the aerospace community.In addition,this paper focuses on the processing principles,material responses under nontraditional energy,resultant forces and temperatures,material removal mechanisms,and applications of these processes,including vibration-,laser-,electric-,magnetic-,chemical-,advanced coolant-,and hybrid nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining.Finally,a comprehensive summary of the principles,advantages,and limitations of each hybrid process is provided,and future perspectives on forward design,device development,and sustainability of nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining processes are discussed.

Particle Size Optimization of Thermochemical Salt Hydrates for High Energy Density Thermal Storage

Thermal energy storage(TES)solutions offer opportunities to reduce energy consumption,greenhouse gas emissions,and cost.Specifically,they can help reduce the peak load and address the intermittency of renewable energy sources by time shifting the load,which are critical toward zero energy buildings.Thermochemical materials(TCMs)as a class of TES undergo a solid-gas reversible chemical reaction with water vapor to store and release energy with high storage capacities(600 kWh m^(-3))and negligible self-discharge that makes them uniquely suited as compact,stand-alone units for daily or seasonal storage.However,TCMs suffer from instabilities at the material(salt particles)and reactor level(packed beds of salt),resulting in poor multi-cycle efficiency and high-levelized cost of storage.In this study,a model is developed to predict the pulverization limit or Rcrit of various salt hydrates during thermal cycling.This is critical as it provides design rules to make mechanically stable TCM composites as well as enables the use of more energy-efficient manufacturing process(solid-state mixing)to make the composites.The model is experimentally validated on multiple TCM salt hydrates with different water content,and effect of Rcrit on hydration and dehydration kinetics is also investigated.

Recent advances in electrochemical performance of Mg-based electrochemical energy storage materials in supercapacitors:Enhancement and mechanism

The application of Mg-based electrochemical energy storage materials in high performance supercapacitors is an essential step to promote the exploitation and utilization of magnesium resources in the field of energy storage.Unfortunately,the inherent chemical properties of magnesium lead to poor cycling stability and electrochemical reactivity,which seriously limit the application of Mg-based materials in supercapacitors.Herein,in this review,more than 70 research papers published in recent 10 years were collected and analyzed.Some representative research works were selected,and the results of various regulative strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of Mg-based materials were discussed.The effects of various regulative strategies(such as constructing nanostructures,synthesizing composites,defect engineering,and binder-free synthesis,etc.)on the electrochemical performance and their mechanism are demonstrated using spinelstructured MgX_(2)O_(4) and layered structured Mg-X-LDHs as examples.In addition,the application of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide in electrode materials,MXene's solid spacers and hard templates are introduced.Finally,the challenges and outlooks of Mg-based electrochemical energy storage materials in high performance supercapacitors are also discussed.

The effect of Ti and Zr content on the structure,mechanics and energy-release characteristics of Ti—Zr—Ta alloys

Energetic structural materials(ESMs)are a new type of structural materials with bearing and damage characteristics.In this work the microstructure,mechanical properties and energy release characteristics of multi-element Ti-Zr-Ta alloys with good casting performance were studied.The microstructure of the Ti_(x)ZrTa alloys gradually change from BCC+HCP to single BCC structure with the increase of Ti.While the Ti_(2)Zr_(y)Ta alloys was still uniform and single BCC structure with the increase of Zr.The evolution of microstructure and composition then greatly affect the mechanical properties and energy-release characteristics of Ti-Zr-Ta alloys.The synergistic effect of dual phase structure increases the fracture strain of Ti_(x)ZrTa(x=0.2,0.5)with the Ti content decreases,while the fracture strain of Ti_(x)ZrTa(x=2.0,3.0,4.0)gradually increase with the Ti content increases caused by the annihilation of the obstacles for dislocation movement.And as Zr content increases,the fracture strain of Ti_(2)Zr_(y)Ta alloys decrease,then the oxidation reaction rate and fragmentation degree gradually increase.The higher oxidation rate and the lager exposed oxidation area jointly leads the higher releasing energy efficiency of Ti_(x)ZrTa alloys with low Ti content and Ti_(2)Zr_(y)Ta alloys with high Zr content.

Modification strategies improving the electrochemical and structural stability of high-Ni cathode materials

With the increasing spotlight in electric vehicles,there is a growing demand for high-energy-density batteries to enhance driving range.Consequently,several studies have been conducted on high-energy-density LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2)cathodes.However,there is a limit to permanent performance deterioration because of side reactions caused by moisture in the atmosphere and continuous microcracks during cycling as the Ni content to express high energy increases and the content of Mn and Co that maintain structural and electrochemical stabilization decreases.The direct modification of the surface and bulk regions aims to enhance the capacity and long-term performance of high-Ni cathode materials.Therefore,an efficient modification requires a study based on a thorough understanding of the degradation mechanisms in the surface and bulk region.In this review,a comprehensive analysis of various modifications,including doping,coating,concentration gradient,and single crystals,is conducted to solve degradation issues along with an analysis of the overall degradation mechanism occurring in high-Ni cathode materials.It also summarizes recent research developments related to the following modifications,aims to provide notable points and directions for post-studies,and provides valuable references for the commercialization of stable high-energy-density cathode materials.

Scattered Co-anchored MoS_(2)synergistically boosting photothermal capture and storage of phase change materials

Pristine phase change materials(PCMs)suffer from inherent deficiencies of poor solar absorption and photothermal conversion.Herein,we proposed a strategy of co-incorporation of zero-dimensional(OD)metal nanoparticles and two-dimensional(2D)photothermal materials in PCMs for efficient capture and conversion of solar energy into thermal energy.Highly scattered Co-anchored MoS_(2)nanoflower cluster serving as photon and phonon triggers was prepared by in-situ hydrothermal growth of ZIF67 polyhedron on 2D MoS_(2)and subsequent high-temperature carbonization.After encapsulating thermal storage unit(paraffin wax),the obtained composite PCMs integrated high-performance photothermal conversion and thermal energy storage capability.Benefiting from the synergistic enhancement of OD Co nanoparticles with localized surface plasmon resonance effect,carbon layer with the conjugation effect and 2D MoS_(2)with strong solar absorption,composite PCMs exhibited a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.19%,Additionally,the resulting composite PCMs also demonstrated long-term thermal sto rage stability and durable structu ral stability after 300 thermal cycles.The proposed collabo rative co-incorporation strategy provides some innovative references for developing next-generation photothermal PCMs in solar energy utilization.

Influence of manufacturing process-induced geometrical defects on the energy absorption capacity of polymer lattice structures

Modern additive manufacturing processes enable fabricating architected cellular materials of complex shape,which can be used for different purposes.Among them,lattice structures are increasingly used in applications requiring a compromise among lightness and suited mechanical properties,like improved energy absorption capacity and specific stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios.A dedicated modeling strategy to assess the energy absorption capacity of lattice structures under uni-axial compression loading is presented in this work.The numerical model is developed in a non-linear framework accounting for the strain rate effect on the mechanical responses of the lattice structure.Four geometries,i.e.,cubic body centered cell,octet cell,rhombic-dodecahedron and truncated cuboctahedron 2+,are investigated.Specifically,the influence of the relative density of the representative volume element of each geometry,the strain-rate dependency of the bulk material and of the presence of the manufacturing process-induced geometrical imperfections on the energy absorption capacity of the lattice structure is investigated.The main outcome of this study points out the importance of correctly integrating geometrical imperfections into the modeling strategy when shock absorption applications are aimed for.

The Application of Solid Waste in Thermal Insulation Materials: A Review

As socioeconomic development continues,the issue of building energy consumption has attracted significant attention,and improving the thermal insulation performance of buildings has become a crucial strategic measure.Simultaneously,the application of solid waste in insulation materials has also become a hot topic.This paper reviews the sources and classifications of solid waste,focusing on research progress in its application as insulation materials in the domains of daily life,agriculture,and industry.The research shows that incorporating household solid waste materials,such as waste glass,paper,and clothing scraps into cementitious thermal insulation can significantly reduce the thermal conductivity of the materials,leading to excellent thermal insulation properties.Insulation materials prepared from agricultural solid waste,such as barley straw,corn stalk,chicken feather,and date palm fibers,possess characteristics of lightweight and strong thermal insulation.Industrial solid waste,including waste tires,iron tailings,and coal bottom ash,can also be utilized in the preparation of insulation materials.These innovative applications not only have positive environmental significance by reducing waste emissions and resource consumption,but also provide efficient and sustainable insulation solutions for the construction industry.However,to further optimize the mix design and enhance the durability of insulation materials,continuous research is required to investigate the mechanisms through which solid waste impacts the performance of insulation materials.

Cascade utilization of full spectrum solar energy for achieving simultaneous hydrogen production and all-day thermoelectric conversion

Solar-driven photocatalytic water/seawater splitting holds great potential for green hydrogen production.However,the practical application is hindered by the relatively low conversion efficiency resulting from the inadequate utilization of solar spectrum with significant waste in the form of heat.Moreover,current equipment struggles to maintain all-day operation subjected to the lack of light during nighttime.Herein,a novel hybrid system integrating photothermal catalytic(PTC)reactor,thermoelectric generator(TEG),and phase change materials(PCM)was proposed and designed(named as PTC-TEG-PCM)to address these challenges and enable simultaneous overall seawater splitting and 24-hour power generation.The PTC system effectively maintains in an optimal temperature range to maximize photothermal-assisted photocatalytic hydrogen production.The TEG component recycles the low-grade waste heat for power generation,complementing the shortcoming of photocatalytic conversion and achieving cascade utilization of full-spectrum solar energy.Furthermore,exceptional thermal storage capability of PCM allow for the conversion of released heat into electricity during nighttime,contributing significantly to the overall power output and enabling PTC-TEG-PCM to operate for more than 12 h under the actual condition.Compared to traditional PTC system,the overall energy conversion efficiency of the PTC-TEG-PCM system can be increased by∼500%,while maintaining the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency.The advancement of this novel system demonstrated that recycling waste heat from the PTC system and utilizing heat absorption/release capability of PCM for thermoelectric application are effective strategies to improve solar energy conversion.With flexible parameter designing,PTC-TEG-PCM can be applied in various scenarios,offering high efficiency,stability,and sustainability.

Realizing High Thermoelectric Performance in n-Type Se-Free Bi_(2)Te_(3)Materials by Spontaneous Incorporation of FeTe_(2)Nanoinclusions

Bi_(2)Te_(3)-based materials have drawn much attention from the thermoelectric community due to their excellent thermoelectric performance near room temperature.However,the stability of existing n-type Bi_(2)(Te,Se)_(3)materials is still low due to the evaporation energy of Se(37.70 kJ mol^(-1))being much lower than that of Te(52.55 kJ mol^(-1)).The evaporated Se from the material causes problems in interconnects of the module while degrading the efficiency.Here,we have developed a new approach for the high-performance and stable n-type Se-free Bi_(2)Te_(3)-based materials bymaximizing the electronic transport while suppressing the phonon transport,at the same time.Spontaneously generated FeTe_(2)nanoinclusions within the matrix during the melt-spinning and subsequent spark plasma sintering is the key to simultaneous engineering of the power factor and lattice thermal conductivity.The nanoinclusions change the fermi level of the matrix while intensifying the phonon scattering via nanoparticles.With a fine-tuning of the fermi level with Cu doping in the n-type Bi_(2)Te_(3)-0.02FeTe_(2),a high power factor of∼41×10^(-4)Wm^(-1)K^(-2)with an average zT of 1.01 at the temperature range 300-470 K are achieved,which are comparable to those obtained in n-type Bi_(2)(Te,Se)_(3)materials.The proposed approach enables the fabrication of high-performance n-type Bi_(2)Te_(3)-based materials without having to include volatile Se element,which guarantees the stability of the material.Consequently,widespread application of thermoelectric devices utilizing the n-type Bi_(2)Te_(3)-based materials will become possible.

Study on the optimal incident proton energy of ^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT)is recognized as a precise binary targeted radiotherapy technique that effectively eliminates tumors through the^(10)B(n,α)^(7)Li nuclear reaction.Among various neutron sources,accelerator-based sources have emerged as particularly promising for BNCT applications.The^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be reaction is highly regarded as a potential neutron source for BNCT,owing to its low threshold energy for the reaction,significant neutron yield,appropriate average neutron energy,and additional benefits.This study utilized Monte Carlo simulations to model the physical interactions within a lithium target subjected to proton bombardment,including neutron moderation by an MgF_(2)moderator and subsequent BNCT dose analysis using a Snyder head phantom.The study focused on calculating the yields of epithermal neutrons for various incident proton energies,finding an optimal energy at 2.7 MeV.Furthermore,the Snyder head phantom was employed in dose simulations to validate the effectiveness of this specific incident energy when utilizing a^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be neutron source for BNCT purposes.

Unleashing the Potential of Unidirectional Mechanical Materials: Breakthroughs and Promising Applications

The emergence of mechanically one-way materials presents an exciting opportunity for materials science and engineering. These substances exhibit unique nonreciprocal mechanical responses, enabling them to selectively channel mechanical energy and facilitate directed sound propagation, controlled mass transport, and concentration of mechanical energy amidst random motion. This article explores the fundamentals of mechanically one-way materials, their potential applications across various industries, and the economic and environmental considerations related to their production and use.

Effects of different iron sources on the performance of LiFePO_4/C composite cathode materials

Olivine LiFePO4/C composite cathode materials were synthesized by a solid state method in N2 ＋ 5vol% H2 atmosphere. The effects of different iron sources, including Fe（OH）3 and FeC2O4·2H2O, on the performance of as-synthesized cathode materials were investigated and the causes were also analyzed. The crystal structure, the morphology, and the electrochemical performance of the prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, laser particle-size distribution measurement, and other electrochemical techniques. The results demonstrate that the LiFePO4/C materials obtained from Fe（OH）3 at 800℃ and FeC2O4·2H2O at 700℃ have the similar electrochemical performances. The initial discharge capacities of LiFePO4/C synthesized from Fe（OH）3 and FeC2O4·2H2O are 134.5 mAh.g^-1 and 137.4 mAh.g^-1 at the C/5 rate, respectively. How- ever, the tap density of the LiFePO4/C materials obtained from Fe（OH）3 are higher, which is significant for the improvement of the capacity of the battery.

Synthesis and Characterization of Storage Energy Materials Prepared from Nano-crystalline Cellulose/Polyethylene Glycol

This paper gives a brief report of the synthesis of a new kind of solid-solid phase change materials （SSPCMs）, nano-crystalline cellulose/polyethylene glycol （NCC/PEG）. These PCMs have very high ability for energy storage, and their enthalpies reach 103.8 J/g. They are composed of two parts, PEG as functional branches for energy storage, and NCC as skeleton. The flexible polymer PEG was grafted onto the surface of rigid powder of NCC by covalent bonds. The results of DSC, FT-IR were briefly introduced, and some comments were also given.

Laser Synthesis and Microfabrication of Micro/ Nanostructured Materials Toward Energy Conversion and Storage

Nanomaterials are known to exhibit a number of interesting physical and chemical properties for various applications,including energy conversion and storage,nanoscale electronics,sensors and actuators,photonics devices and even for biomedical purposes.In the past decade,laser as a synthetic technique and laser as a microfabrication technique facilitated nanomaterial preparation and nanostructure construction,including the laser processing-induced carbon and non-carbon nanomaterials,hierarchical structure construction,patterning,heteroatom doping,sputtering etching,and so on.The laser-induced nanomaterials and nanostructures have extended broad applications in electronic devices,such as light–thermal conversion,batteries,supercapacitors,sensor devices,actuators and electrocatalytic electrodes.Here,the recent developments in the laser synthesis of carbon-based and non-carbon-based nanomaterials are comprehensively summarized.An extensive overview on laser-enabled electronic devices for various applications is depicted.With the rapid progress made in the research on nanomaterial preparation through laser synthesis and laser microfabrication technologies,laser synthesis and microfabrication toward energy conversion and storage will undergo fast development.

Thermal energy storage inside the chamber with a brick wall using the phase change process of paraffinic materials:A numerical simulation

Phase change materials are one of the potential resources to replace fossil fuels in regards of supplying the energy of buildings.Basically,these materials absorb or release heat energy with the help of their latent heat.Phase change materials have low thermal conductivity and this makes it possible to use the physical properties of these materials in the tropical regions where the solar radiation is more direct and concentrated over a smaller area.In this theoretical work,an attempt has been made to study the melting process of these materials by applying constant heat flux and temperature.It was found that by increasing the thickness of phase change materials’layers,due to the melting,more thermal energy is stored.Simultaneously it reduces the penetration of excessive heat into the chamber,so that by increasing the thickness of paraffin materials up to 20 mm,the rate of temperature reduction reaches more than 18%.It was also recognized that increasing the values of constant input heat flux increases buoyancy effects.Increasing the Stefan number from 0.1 to 0.3,increases the temperature by 6%.

Enhanced Thermal Performance of Roofing Materials by Integrating Phase Change Materials to Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings

This work focused on characterizing and improving the thermal behavior of metal sheet roofing.To decrease the heat transfer from the roof into a building,we investigated the efficiency of four types of phase change materials,with different melting points:PCMІ,PCM II,PCM III and PCM IV,when used in conjunction with a sheet metal roof.The exterior metal roofing surface temperature was held constant at 50℃,60℃,70℃and 80℃,using a thermal source(halogen lights)for 360 min to investigate and compare the thermal performance of the metal sheet roofing with and without phase change materials for each condition.The thermal behaviors of the phase change materials were analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter(DSC).The results showed the melting points of PCMІ,PCM II,PCM III and PCM IV were around 45℃,50℃,55℃and 59℃,respectively.The integration of PCM IV into the metal roofing sheet increased the thermal performance by reducing the room temperature up to 2.8%,1.4%,1.0%and 0.7%when compared with the normal metal roof sheet,at the controlled temperatures of 50℃,60℃,70℃and 80℃,respectively.The thermal absorption of the phase change materials also caused a time delay in the model room reaching a steady temperature.The integration of phase change materials with metal roofing sheets resulted in better thermal performance and conservation of electrical energy by reducing the demand for cooling.

Study on the multi-sources of ore-forming materials and ore-forming fluids in the Huize lead-zinc ore deposit

The Huize large-sized Pb-Zn deposit in Yunnan Province, China, is characterized by favorable metallogenic background and particular geological settings. This suggested that the ore-forming mechanism is relatively unique. On the basis of geological features such as the contents of mineralization elements, the REE concentrations of gangue calcites, the REE concentrations of calcite veins in the NE-trending tectonic zone and the Pb, Sr, C, H and O isotopic compositions of different minerals, this paper presents that the ore-forming materials and ore-forming fluids of the deposit were derived from various types of strata or rocks. This is a very significant conclusion for us to further discuss the mineralization mechanism of the deposit at depth and establish an available genetic model.