Ag-Modified microfibrillar cellulose as support in composite phase change materials with enhanced thermal transfer properties.

• MFC was modified with Ag nanoparticles with a mass content of 13% • Adsorption of SA onto AgMFC fibers results in shape stable PCM composites. • Ag nanoparticles do not affect the phase transitions of SA on the fiber surface. • SA/AgMFC composites have improved heating and cooling rate comparing to SA/MFC ones. • The improved heat transfer in SA/AgMFC composites reduces their thermal stability. Composite phase change material was prepared via adsorption of stearic acid onto cellulose microfibrils modified with Ag nanoparticles. The latent heat storage capacity, cycling performance, thermal stability, and heating/cooling rate of the composites were studied with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermal imaging and compared to those of the composite prepared by adsorption of stearic acid onto pure microfibrillar cellulose. The modification of cellulose with Ag nanoparticles improves the heating and cooling rate of the composites and promotes latent heat release during the solidification of stearic acid on the fiber surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]