Improving the solar-to-thermal conversion efficiency of bio-based balsawood/octadecane phase change composites via surface carbonization

Patient recovery is influenced by thermal comfort. Traditional air conditioning systems often overload due to fluctuating occupancy, requiring innovative technologies. Phase change materials offer an efficient solution by reducing energy consumption. This study introduces an innovative phase change composite (PCC) specifically designed for hospital wards. The PCC, formulated from delignified wood and octadecane, aims to enhance indoor temperature regulation, thereby mitigating the energy-intensive dependence on traditional air conditioning systems commonly employed in hospitals. By applying surface carbonization technology, the adsorption performance of the wood was optimized, while the phase change material (PCM) was encapsulated within a polymerizable low eutectic solvent system consisting acrylic acid (AA) and choline chloride (ChCl). This encapsulation process guaranteed antibacterial properties, mechanical stability, and sustainability of materials. Notably, the sample treated at 400 °C (SCW-OD-400) exhibited remarkable thermal management capabilities, undergoing a phase change at approximately 26 °C. With a high latent heat of 191.7 J/g and impressive photo-to-thermal conversion efficiency, this material can increase temperatures by 17.4 °C within 240 s under simulated sunlight, making it a promising candidate for temperature regulation in hospital wards. The findings of this research offer a promising new temperature control strategy for medical settings, paving the way for future hospital construction enhancements.