Synergistic integration of hybrid carbon nanotube blended silver nanomaterial for energizing organic phase change material

• CNT doped Ag (SCN) nanomaterials are explored with organic PCM • 0.7 wt.% SCN presents desirable thermal and optical features • Energy storage ability of RT50 increases from 165.5 J/g to 170.3 J/g with SCN • Developed hybrid nanocomposite exhibit good cyclic stability and reliability Phase change materials (PCM) are commonly applied in thermal management, but their effectiveness in new energy conversion and storage is limited by poor thermal and optical characteristics. Therefore, researchers have been exploring ways to improve the performance of organic PCM using metals, metal oxides, carbon, and conductive nanomaterials, although the potential of hybrid nanomaterials has not been thoroughly investigated. This research introduces a carbon nanotube-doped silver (SCN) nanomaterial blend that enhances the functionality of commercial organic PCM at temperatures between 49-51°C, with an energy storage capacity of 165.5 J/g. A straightforward two-step melting-blending technique is utilized to synthesize hybrid nanocomposites with different SCN weight fractions. The presence of SCN expands the light absorption spectrum, increases surface roughness to facilitate thermal conductivity, and enhances intermolecular interactions, thereby improving heat storage capacity. The hybrid PCM nanocomposite containing 0.7 wt.% SCN achieves a melting enthalpy of 170.3 J/g, a thermal conductivity of 0.442 W/(m·K), superior solar thermal conversion efficiency with a 59.33% increase in optical absorbance, outstanding thermal stability up to 172°C, and durability for 500 phase transition thermal cycles. Additionally, this work presents a comparative photo-thermal analysis under simulated solar irradiation showed that RT50-0.7SCN achieved faster heating (2.38°C/min) and cooling (–2.70°C/min) rates than pristine RT50 (1.95°C/min and –2.52°C/min, respectively). The insights gained from this research provide valuable guidance for the future real-time implementation of hybrid PCMs in the thermal management of both buildings and electronic gadgets.