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

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 33; no. 15
• Main Authors: Luo, Zhuo, Yang, Dongzhi, Liu, Ji, Zhao, Hao‐Yu, Zhao, Tianyu, Li, Bai‐Xue, Yang, Wei‐Guang, Yu, Zhong‐Zhen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Aerogels; bilayer phase change composites; Bilayers; Compensation; Energy conversion; gradient aerogels; Graphene; Heat; Hyperthermia; Latent heat; Materials science; Microclimate; Phase change; reduced graphene oxide; self‐adaptive personal thermal management; solar‐thermal energy conversion; Synergistic effect; Temperature gradients; Thermal energy; Thermal insulation; Thermal management
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202212032

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. Gradient RGO aerogel‐based bilayer phase change composite featuring “energy regulation” and “energy inverse compensation” is designed for self‐adaptive personal thermal management. Thanks to the synergy of efficient solar‐thermal energy conversion, afferent heat regulation, and latent‐heat compensation, the bilayer phase change composite can alleviate acute temperature changes and maintain moderate body microenvironments in harsh scenarios, delivering extraordinary personal thermal management performances.