Nature‐Inspired Solar‐Thermal Gradient Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogel‐based Bilayer Phase Change Composites for Self‐Adaptive Personal Thermal Management

Abstract

Although personal thermal management (PTM) materials for daily routine environments are widely investigated, the exploration of multifunctional PTM materials with excellent feasibility in complex and outdoor scenarios is still in its infancy. Herein, inspired by the temperature regulation effect of the atmosphere, a novel design for fabricating solar‐thermal gradient reduced graphene oxide (RGO) aerogel‐based bilayer phase change composite (GRGC) featuring “energy regulation” and “energy inverse compensation” is proposed for self‐adaptive PTM applications. By integrating the solar‐thermal energy conversion ability of RGO, the heat regulation of the aerogel/octadecane bilayer structure with the unique gradient RGO framework inside, and the latent‐heat compensation of octadecane, the bilayer GRGC can serve as an efficient PTM device to mitigate drastic temperature changes of human skin in harsh environments. This multifunctional PTM device can not only keep a warm skin surface microclimate in a frigid environment of −5 °C via the synergistic effect of the solar‐thermal conversion, the aerogel thermal insulation, and the phase‐change latent heat release, but also provide efficient thermal buffering to prevent hyperthermia in hot environments through its phase‐change behavior and its thermal insulation. This gradient and bilayer design opens a new avenue for fabricating self‐adaptive PTM devices for applications in harsh environments.

Advanced Phase Change Materials from Natural Perspectives: Structural Design and Functional Applications

“…These strategies can be divided into macro‐, micro‐, and nanoconfinement, according to their different confinement structures. [ 26 ] The efficient design structure in confinement technology not only mitigates the drawbacks of PCMs but also improves their thermophysical properties. [ 27 ] Thus, the structural design of PCMs is crucial for confinement.…”

Dual-functional thermal management textiles for dynamic temperature regulation based on ultra-stretchable spiral conductive composite yarn with 500%-strain thermal stability and durability

“…In addition, due to the different and independent working mechanisms, it is a great challenge to realize wearable electronics that simultaneously work on thermal comfort regulation with multi-environment adaptability in one wearable system using an efficient and energy saving approach. 16 Emerging textiles designed for personal thermal management (PTM) can realize accurate and appropriate thermal comfort to satisfy the individual thermal requirements in complex environments. 17,18 To achieve multi-scenario PTM wearable applications, great efforts have focused on integrating multiple thermal regulation functions into fabric substrates.…”

Dual-functional reduced graphene oxide decorated nanoporous polytetrafluoroethylene metafabrics for radiative cooling and solar-heating

“…35 Compared to common textiles, transparency-type radiative cooling fabrics mainly derive their functions from designed physical structures and unique chemical components, such as nano-photonic structures and single molecular chain units with low infrared absorption. [42][43][44] However, subsequent multilayer assembly and modication for transparency-type cooling fabrics may impede their unique radiative properties due to the change of aperture dimensions and the addition of other chemical units with high infrared absorption. 45,46 In addition, they always lack great processability and wearability owing to their limited substrate selection.…”