Strong rigidity, low thermal conductivity, and
short of multi-driven capabilities of form-stable phase change materials
(FSPCMs) have limited their practical utilization. Herein, we report
a shape-adaptable FSPCM with the coinstantaneous light/electro-driven
shape memory properties and light/electro-to-thermal
energy storage performance. The FSPCM is fabricated by incorporating
the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) into the cellulose nanofiber/graphene
nanoplatelet (GNP) hybrid-coated melamine foam (CG@MF). The CG@MF/PEG
FSPCMs show a good encapsulation effect, enhanced thermal conductivity,
and large melting enthalpy (178.9 J g–1). Due to
the high elasticity of MF and the excellent photothermal conversion
and electrical conductivity of the GNP network, the CG@MF/PEG FSPCMs
exhibit a remarkable light/electro-driven shape memory effect by activating
the phase change process of PEG. Meanwhile, the CG@MF/PEG FSPCMs can
effectively convert light or electric energy into heat energy and
reposit the converted energy during the phase change process. Furthermore,
the CG@MF/PEG FSPCMs possess excellent multiresponsive self-adhesion
properties. A light-sensitive, shape-adaptable, and thermal-insulating
container is further explored. This study provides routes toward the
development of multiresponsive shape-adaptable FSPCMs for energy storage
applications.
Organic
phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted increasing
attention in the solar energy utilization field for their large thermal
energy storage density, appropriate phase transition temperature,
and excellent chemical stability. However, the liquid leakage defect
and poor solar-thermal conversion performance restrict their large-scale
application. Herein, novel PCM composites with superior solar-thermal
conversion efficiency, excellent form-stability, and improved thermal
conductivity were successfully synthesized by introducing a dopamine-decorated
MXene (Ti3C2T
x
@PDA)
into a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based polyurethane PCM. Ti3C2T
x
@PDA, which was
covalently bound to polyurethane, acted as a photon capturer and molecular
heater and converted solar energy to thermal energy, whereas the PEG-based
polyurethane PCM could absorb and store the generated thermal energy
through solid–solid phase transition. Sunlight irradiation
experiments demonstrated that the solar-thermal conversion and storage
efficiency of PCM composites (up to 90.1%) were significantly improved
with the introduction of the MXene Ti3C2T
x
@PDA. Based on differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC) analysis, PCM composites exhibited satisfactory phase change
enthalpy in the range of 121.9–128.2 J/g. Moreover, the developed
PCM composites possessed excellent form-stability, remarkable thermal
reversibility, good thermal stability, and improved thermal conductivity.
In conclusion, the synthesized PCM composites exhibited tremendous
application potential in solar energy utilization field.
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