Composite phase change materials with room-temperature-flexibility

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted considerable attention for effectively addressing the problem of thermal energy supply–demand mismatch. However, the practical application of PCMs is still hindered by inherent challenges such as crystalline rigidity, leakage susceptibility, and poor thermal conductivity. In this research, on the basic of thermal control provided by phase change storage and the elastic behavior supported by thermoplastic polyester elastomer at room temperature, we fabricated a new type of composite PCM (CPCM) that exhibits flexibility even at room temperature. This CPCM demonstrates good shape and thermal stability. Furthermore, the carbon nanotubes-COOH modified with lauric acid (LA) can be uniformly dispersed within the CPCM matrix, thereby enhancing the thermal conductivity of the CPCM. Additionally, the composite material exhibits a promising thermal management performance for high-temperature lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. These findings open up new possibilities for the development of room- temperature flexible CPCMs.