Innovative Polypyrrole-Modified <i>Pleurotus eryngii</i> Phase Change Composite for Efficient Solar Photothermal Energy Conversion, Harvesting, and Storage

With the depletion of fossil fuels and rising environmental issues, there’s a pressing need for solar energy storage materials that boost solar utilization and decrease dependence on nonrenewables. Traditional organic phase change materials face limitations in solar energy storage applications due to their proneness to leakage and low light absorption coefficients. Herein, a novel strategy that involves the in situ polymerization of pyrrole on Pleurotus eryngii (Pe) biomass, addressing these challenges by improving light absorption while preserving the high porosity of Pe. The resulting phase change composites (PCCs) achieved an encapsulation rate of 89.7%, a light absorption rate of 96.1% within the wavelength range of 300–2500 nm, and an impressive photothermal conversion efficiency of 91.2% under simulated solar irradiation at an intensity of 5 suns. In summary, our innovative strategy effectively boosts the light absorption coefficient of Pe biomass while preserving its high porosity, providing a feasible solution for the large-scale and expedited manufacturing of solar photothermal energy materials. This work highlights the promise of biomass in driving renewable energy technology forward and supports the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.