A Rapid Thermal Absorption Rate and High Latent Heat Enthalpy Phase Change Fiber Derived from Bio-Based Low Melting...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Phase change materials (PCMs) are crucial for thermal energy storage and temperature regulation.
• Developing PCMs with suitable thermal properties and mechanical integrity for textile applications remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize poly(butylene adipate-co-hexamethylene adipate) (PBHA) copolymers incorporating 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM).
• To evaluate the thermal properties and phase change behavior of PBHA-CHDM copolymers blended with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for textile applications.
• To investigate the mechanical properties and thermoregulating performance of PBHA-CHDM/PBT fibers.

Main Methods:

• One-step melt polymerization to synthesize PBHA copolymers with varying CHDM content.
• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine melting point (T_m) and enthalpy of fusion (∆H_m).
• Melt spinning and mechanical testing to fabricate and analyze fiber properties.
• Infrared thermography to assess temperature adjustment capabilities.

Main Results:

• PBHA copolymer with 5 mol% CHDM (PBHA-C5) showed a low T_m (35.7 °C) and high ∆H_m (43.9 J g^-1).
• Blended PBHA-C5/PBT fibers maintained stable thermal properties after multiple cycles.
• Fiber mechanical strength increased with draw ratio, reaching 2.35 g den^-1.
• PBHA-C5 fibers demonstrated effective temperature adjustment, showing a >5 °C difference within 1 min and reaching equilibrium.

Conclusions:

• PBHA-C5 is a promising candidate for ambient temperature adjustment textile phase change materials.
• The developed PBHA-C5/PBT fibers exhibit excellent thermoregulating properties.
• These materials hold significant potential for use in advanced thermoregulating textiles.