In a significant stride towards enhancing thermal energy storage (TES) technologies, researchers have developed advanced inorganic polymers that could revolutionize the way we store and utilize solar energy. This breakthrough, published in the journal *Energies* (translated from the original title), addresses a critical challenge in the energy sector: the intermittency of solar power.
The study, led by Ioanna Giannopoulou from the Frederick Research Center in Nicosia, Cyprus, focuses on creating sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional materials used in TES systems. Current technologies often rely on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which degrades at temperatures above 400 °C, limiting their operational range.
Giannopoulou and her team turned to Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) as a base material, designing and developing inorganic polymers based on the ternary systems Na₂O-SiO₂-Al₂O₃ and K₂O-SiO₂-Al₂O₃. Using thermochemical software FactSage 7.0, they theoretically designed and evaluated these polymers, which were then experimentally verified to withstand temperatures up to 700 °C.
“The optimized materials developed compressive strength around 20 MPa, which improved with temperatures up to 500 °C and then decreased,” Giannopoulou explained. “Moreover, they presented thermal capacities from 600 to 1090 J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹, thermal diffusivity in the range of 4.7–5.6 × 10⁻⁷ m² s⁻¹, and thermal conductivity from 0.6 to 1 W m⁻¹ °C⁻¹.”
These properties make the developed inorganic polymers significant candidates for TES applications, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for storing thermal energy at elevated temperatures. The implications for the energy sector are profound, as this technology could enhance the dispatchability of solar power, making it a more reliable and consistent energy source.
“The potential commercial impacts are substantial,” Giannopoulou noted. “By improving the efficiency and reliability of TES systems, we can accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change.”
This research not only advances our understanding of inorganic polymers and their applications but also paves the way for future developments in the field of thermal energy storage. As the world continues to seek sustainable and innovative energy solutions, breakthroughs like this one will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the energy sector.