Zeolites with Al(IV) in a partially hydrophobic environment for thermal energy storage

• Grant number: 24/21120-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Iago William Zapelini
• Grantee: Augusto Cardoso da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências (FEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rosana. Rosana , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Solar thermal energy is a promising renewable alternative to meet power and heat demands. However, due to the intermittency of solar radiation, thermal storage devices are necessary to store energy and make it available on demand. These systems are based on the interaction of materials with heat, enabling energy storage. One example is the use of hydrophilic materials, such as zeolites, which adsorb water in their microporous channels. The desorption of confined water stores energy in the material, which can be recovered by passing moist air through it, promoting an exothermic adsorption process.The efficiency of this process depends on optimizing water capture and desorption to increase storage capacity, reduce device size, and accelerate thermal charging and discharging times. This project will evaluate the effect of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in the vicinity of Al(IV) atoms in NaX zeolites on water adsorption and desorption properties. Solids with adsorption sites in hydrophobic environments will be prepared via co-condensation, analyzing the impact of incorporating water-repellent regions into the zeolite structure and its effects on water capture and release steps for use as thermal storage materials.