Recyclable cellulose nanofiber/carbon nanotube frameworks encapsulating thermoresponsive organogels for
Haoguan Gui1, Jiale Xu2, Guozhi Liang3
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, Advanced Catalysis and Green Manufacturing Collaborative Innovation Center, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
Abstract:
Novel phase-change materials (PCMs) with high latent heat pose critical challenges of liquid leakage and cycling instability. To overcome these limitations, we develop shape-stabilized PCM composites (PCMCs) derived from cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/carbon nanotube (CNT)-stabilized Pickering emulsions, using thermoresponsive octadecane (OD) organogels as the dispersed phase. These PCMCs exhibit exceptional performance: recyclable fabrication, near-zero leakage (<0.88 % mass loss even when fractured), record-high latent heat capacity (ΔH = 232.3 J·g-1) among shape-stabilized PCMCs, and 91.2 % photothermal conversion efficiency enabled by CNT-enhanced broadband absorption. Mechanistic studies confirm leakage suppression via a solid-gel transition that eliminates liquid PCM formation. The composites retain >99 % enthalpy over 100 thermal cycles and achieve complete recyclability through aqueous dissolution and re-casting. Combined with mechanical flexibility (70 % compressibility) and rapid thermal response (0.68 W·m-1·K-1 conductivity), this multifunctional platform sets new benchmarks for sustainable solar energy harvesting, storage, thermal management, and circular material design.
