Jet-Injection In Situ Production of PVDF/PCM Composite Fibers for Thermal Management

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Thermal Engineering

Background:

• Effective thermal management is crucial for device longevity and performance.
• Phase change materials (PCMs) offer high energy storage capacity at stable temperatures, making them ideal for thermoregulation.
• Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is widely used in thermal-sensitive applications, presenting an opportunity for integration with PCMs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, scalable, and cost-effective method for producing PVDF fibers containing paraffin RT-28HC for thermal management.
• To investigate the morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical behavior of the fabricated PVDF-PCM composite fibers.

Main Methods:

• A simplified microfluidic technique, gravity-aided laminar jet injection, was employed to create PVDF fibers via solvent extraction.
• The method produced both hollow PVDF fibers and core-shell PVDF fibers encapsulating paraffin RT-28HC.
• Morphological analysis using SEM and thermal behavior observation with an infrared camera were conducted.

Main Results:

• The fabricated PVDF-PCM fibers exhibited up to 98 J/g latent heat and a hierarchical porous structure.
• Paraffin was observed as slugs within the fibers, spreading upon melting due to capillary forces.
• The composite fibers demonstrated low thermal conductivity, high elasticity, and excellent retention capacity (3.5% mass loss after 1000 cycles).

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a versatile and scalable approach for producing PVDF-based PCM fibers.
• These fibers show significant potential as thermal insulation materials with thermal buffer capabilities.
• The material's durability and thermal properties make it suitable for advanced thermal management solutions.