Flexible loofah sponge-based phase change composite for thermal protection and wearable thermal management

• Published in: Journal of energy storage Vol. 100; p. 113465
• Main Authors: He, Hongfei, Xu, Yimei, Zhang, Baogen, Wang, Qingqing, Li, Wei, Cai, Yibing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2024
• Subjects: Flexibility; Phase change composite; Thermal energy storage; Thermal management; Thermal protection; Thermal energy storage; Thermal management; Thermal protection; Phase change composite; Flexibility
• ISSN: 2352-152X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2024.113465

To address the escalating demand for sophisticated thermal management in electronics, energy batteries, and wearable devices, extensive research has been dedicated to developing shape-stabilized and highly thermally conductive phase change composites (PCCs). However, their inherent rigidity and limited flexibility pose significant challenges for practical applications. In response, we have engineered a novel and flexible PCC by integrating loofah sponge (LS) and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS) as co-supporting framework with paraffin wax (PW) as heat storage medium, further enhanced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The process began with the vacuum adsorption of PW into an ammonia-softened LS, which forming a fibrous network. This was followed by the introduction of a mixed melt of SIS and PW, physically cross-linked and dispersed with CNTs, into the LS fibrous network. The composite was then cooled and shaped to produce the (final) PCC. The resultant PCC exhibited remarkable ductility with an elongation of approximately 780 % and a maximum tensile strength of ∼2 MPa. Furthermore, it maintained thermal reliability and dimensional stability over long-term usage, with a melting heat enthalpy as high as 146.4 J/g. This flexible PCC, which combines high latent thermal energy storage, temperature regulation, and thermally induced assembly properties, shows considerable promise for thermal protection and portable thermal management in electronic devices. •A novel and flexible PCC was fabricated by compositing LS/PW and ISI/PW with CNTs.•ISI/PW compound was a mixed melt of SIS physically cross-linked with PW and dispersed with CNTs.•The (final) PCC demonstrated superior ductility with huge elongation and tensile stress.•PCC exhibited high latent heat, temperature regulation and thermally induced assembly properties.•It had great potential in thermal protection and portable thermal management of electronic device.