Dodecylamine/Ti3C2-pectin form-stable phase change composites with enhanced light-to-thermal conversion and mechanical properties

Abstract

The development of high-performance form stable phase change materials (FSPCMs) with higher optical absorbance and phase change enthalpy is of great significance to building energy conservation. A kind of Ti3C2/pectin aerogels was prepared by self-assembly of pectin and MXene nanosheet (Ti3C2) by solution blending method. These aerogels were directly dipped in the molten dodecylamine (DDA) as the phase change material. The results show that the PCM composites with 3 wt% Ti3C2 have a phase change temperature of 25.47 °C (at which the human body feels comfortable), latent heat of phase change of 218.8 kJ kg−1, and thermal conductivity of 0.1817 W/(m K). The prepared FSPCMs have the characteristics of suitable phase change temperature, high latent heat, good melting/freezing cycle reliability, strong mechanical properties, significant photothermal energy conversion capacity (more than 92%), and good thermal insulation performance. Therefore, the corresponding pectin-based composites with better light absorption and mechanical properties are expected to have broad application prospects in energy conversion and building energy conservation.