Carbon nanotube/PEG/SiO2 composites were prepared from multiwall carbon nanotubes, poly(ethylene glycol), and inorganic SiO2, and found to be an efficient full-band sunlight conversion and storage device. Compared with traditional phase-change materials, the composite exhibited rapid and broadband visible light-harvesting characteristics, light-thermal conversion, thermal energy storage ability, form-stable effects, and high thermal conductivity. The results showed that the combination of a light-heat conversion agent and a phase change thermal storage material can effectively improve the efficiency of solar energy applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.