Seafood waste carbon aerogel stops heat leakage, keeps 97% capacity

Materials scientists have developed a sustainable, bio-based carbon aerogel derived from chitin—a natural polymer found in crustacean shells and fungi—that effectively addresses the common problem of leakage in organic phase change materials (PCMs) used for thermal energy storage. By converting chitin into an ultralight, porous carbon framework, the researchers created a host structure that physically traps molten stearic acid, a widely used PCM known for its high heat storage capacity but prone to leakage when melted. The aerogel’s interconnected pores, along with capillary forces and hydrogen bonding, prevent leakage even when the stearic acid transitions from solid to liquid, allowing the composite to hold up to 60% stearic acid by weight without visible leakage. Thermal tests demonstrated that the composite material achieves a melting enthalpy of approximately 118 joules per gram, surpassing many other biomass-derived PCMs, while also improving thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer. Importantly, the material showed excellent durability, retaining