From Waste to Functional Material—Carbon Aerogels from Citrus Biomass Infiltrated with Phase Change Materials for Possible Application in Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage

Katarzyna Suchorowiec, Martyna Bieda, Martyna Szatkowska, Małgorzata Sieradzka, Monika Kuźnia, Magdalena Ziąbka and Kinga Pielichowska ()
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Katarzyna Suchorowiec: Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Martyna Bieda: Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Martyna Szatkowska: Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Małgorzata Sieradzka: Department of Heat Engineering & Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Monika Kuźnia: Department of Heat Engineering & Environment Protection, Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Magdalena Ziąbka: Department of Ceramics and Refractories, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Kinga Pielichowska: Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Green energy conversion and storage materials have become a focal point of research in recent times, especially in energy-consuming buildings. Phase change materials (PCMs) have gained more and more attention not only for energy storage but also in composites for solar energy conversion. This research investigates a sustainable method for converting orange biomass waste (OBW) into advanced porous carbon aerogel (PCA) composites, designed for solar-thermal energy harvesting and storage in building applications. Using potato starch as a binder, the research develops a process for producing a uniform and lightweight carbon matrix that could be scalable. The best results were found for PCA obtained with 2.5% starch, where the lowest mass loss (8.2, 0.5, 11.2% pt) was observed during the leakage test. This study highlights the suitability of OBW-derived aerogels as effective matrices for PCM impregnation and shape stabilization, indicating their future potential in solar-thermal energy conversion and storage and potentially lowering energy consumption in buildings. By repurposing agricultural waste, this work contributes to sustainable material development and advances the application of renewable energy technologies.

Keywords: biomass; phase change materials; solar energy harvesting; biomass waste; citrus waste; carbon aerogels (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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