The performance of solar-thermal conversion systems can be improved by incorporation of encapsulated phase change materials. In this study, for the first time, CrodathermTM 60 as a phase change material (PCM) was successfully encapsulated within polyurea as the shell supporting material. While preparing the slurry samples, graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) sheets were also incorporated to enhance the thermal and photothermal properties of the prepared materials. The morphology and chemical properties of these capsules were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, respectively. The results show the spherical-like and core-shell structure of capsules with an average diameter size of 3.34 μm. No chemical interaction was observed between the core and the supporting materials. The thermal characteristics of the microencapsulated PCMs (MEPCMs), analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), indicate that the prepared samples with 0.1 weight percentage of GNP possess the latent heat of 95.5 J/g at the phase transition temperature of about 64 °C. Analyzing the rheological properties of the prepared slurry with 16 wt % of MEPCMs proves that the prepared material meet the requirements given by the heat transfer applications. The thermal storage capacity, good thermal stability, and improved photothermal performance of the prepared material make it a potential candidate for using in direct absorption solar thermal applications.

This paper focuses on the use of modified nano-clay particles as a controlled release system for biocides from building materials. Different (model) biocides were incorporated in a biocide/nano-clay composite and subsequently the release of the biocides was monitored under different environmental conditions. In addition, the biocide/clay material was formulated into a model finishing material (gypsum) to evaluate the antifungal activity. Intercalation of biocides in modified nano-clays was found to significantly prolong the release of the biocide and prevent premature leaching of the biocide from the building material. Release rate of the biocide could be tuned by selection of the type of modification used for the nano-clay platelets. Even after prolonged leaching up to 45 days in artificial rain tests, gypsum samples containing biocide/clay composites did not show any fungal growth, whereas gypsum samples containing pure biocide had lost their antifungal activity after exposure to artificial rain for 7 days or more, demonstrating the potential of this technology for practical applications. The presented approach is very versatile, and may be used for a large variety of biocides and is envisioned to be applicable to different construction and finishing materials, including waterborne paints. To optimize the performance in a specific application area, the leaching or release process of the nano-clays should be known in the different application materials, and consequently requires alternative testing methods, e.g. methods which characterize the fungal growth as a function of release in more detail. Although correlation with practice requires further investigation, the presented method gives a good first indication for prolonged protection of building materials.

In our laboratories, a seasonal thermochemical storage system for dwellings and offices is being designed and developed. Based on a thermochemical sorption reaction, space heating, cooling and generation of domestic hot water will be achieved with up to 100% renewable energy, by using solar energy and waste heat. Development of the reactor and its components (adsorber/desorber, evaporator/condenser) as well as on the active material are described, and indications for further improvement are given. Simulations and experiments yield promising results for further development in demonstrators and field tests of the system set-up, and our newly developed enhanced active material yields promising results exhibiting high storage capacity, good reversibility and ease of use.