THREE-DIMENSIONAL CARBON NANOTUBE SPONGE MATERIALS AS ABSORBERS OF PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS

Composite materials comprising a phase change material (PCM) and a macroscale 3D carbon nanotube material, such as a macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material, including boron doped carbon nanotube materials, and methods for using the composite materials in various applications where temperature control is critical. Heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge materials are strongly oleophilic, and can soak up large quantities of organic PCMs. One representative application for the composite materials is in thermal energy storage (TES) systems for shipping and storage of pharmaceuticals, medical and life science products.