Pyrazolium Phase-Change Materials for Solar-Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Thermal energy storage technology utilizing phase-change materials (PCMs) can be a promising solution for the intermittency of renewable energy sources. This work describes a novel family of PCMs based on the pyrazolium cation, that operate in the 100-200 °C temperature range, offering safe, inexpensive capacity and low supercooling. Thermal stability and extensive cycling tests of the most promising PCM candidate, pyrazolium mesylate (T_m =168±1 °C, ΔH_f =160 J g^-1 ±5 %, ΔH_total ^v =495 MJ m^-3 ±5 %) show potential for its use in thermal storage applications. Additionally, this work discusses the molecular origins of the high thermal energy storage capacity of these ionic materials based on their crystal structures, revealing the importance of hydrogen bonds in PCM performance.

Keywords: energy storage; ionic liquids; phase-change materials; pyrazole; renewable energy.