Thermo-regulated thermoplastic sugarcane bagasse-based biocomposite via solvent-free extrusion for energy-saving smart home

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely used in the sectors of solar energy conversion, thermal regulation, waste heat recovery, etc. However, it is still a huge challenge to utilize biodegradable room-temperature PCMs in thermo-regulated smart homes due to their poor shape stability and processability at high temperature. Herein, we report solvent-free reactive extrusion processes to prepare a thermoplastic sugarcane bagasse-based biocomposite (named TBP-50) containing 50 wt% dodecanol-based nanoencapsulated PCM (NPCM). The developed TBP-50 with the phase change point near room temperature and the enthalpy of about 52 J g−1 is thermo-processable and thermally stable below 180 °C. The high mass ratio of supramolecular lock-shell NPCM (50 wt%) endows TBP-50 with excellent heating/cooling cycling reliability and thermal regulation ability that have been verified by a series of simulated calculations about an incubator (30 L) and a bedroom (4.5 m × 3.5 m × 3 m) decorated with dimensionally stable TBP-50 sheets. Moreover, TBP-50 shows acceptable mechanical properties: the tensile strength of 9.6 MPa, the tensile modulus of 6.73 GPa, the impact strength of 3.18 kJ m−2, and the Shore surface hardness of 68 D. Obvious biodegradation in the local soil environment is detected for TBP-50 and the six probable degradation steps are proposed in this work. Considering the next generation of energy-saving and environmental-friendly home-decorating materials, the herein prepared TBP-50 biocomposite via typical extrusion molding is an ideal choice as ceiling, clapboard, floorboard, wardrobe, desk, and so on.