Full-Spectrum Solar Energy Harvesting and Storage Enabled by Plasmonic Molybdenum Oxide-Modified Phase Change Microcapsules

Considering the predicament of low solar absorption and heat storage efficiency of conventional microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs), we have developed a new-type photothermal MPCM. The acquired MPCM possesses a uniform spherical shape and a core-shell structure, with highly defective molybdenum oxide covering the surface as a full-spectrum light absorber. The composite MPCMs exhibit effective thermal regulation performance, featuring an enthalpy exceeding 130   J/g, a maximum energy storage efficiency of 99.3%, and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 84.8%. After 200 heating and cooling cycles as well as 30 photothermal cycles, the MPCM demonstrated excellent phase change reversibility and thermal stability. Notably, the composite MPCM displayed remarkable stability in terms of thermal energy storage, photothermal conversion, and cycling performance, thereby substantiating its tremendous potential in solar thermal utilization.