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Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties
Published on: January 8, 2016
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Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar-Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion.
Hossein Baniasadi1, Sedigheh Borandeh1, Ziba Fathi2
1School of Chemical Engineering Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Aalto University Espoo Finland.
Small Science
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed novel polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats for simultaneous solar energy capture and storage. These flexible mats offer efficient thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion, demonstrating stability over 100 cycles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Efficient solar-thermal energy conversion and storage require advanced materials with high latent heat and multifunctionality.
- Existing phase change materials (PCMs) often lack the mechanical integrity or combined functionalities needed for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop electrospun polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats for simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion.
- To enhance the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of these PCM mats through functionalization.
Main Methods:
- Electrospinning of polyester-based PCMs, specifically PPCM1218, blended with polyamide 11 to create flexible mats.
- Incorporation of functional additives like biochar, graphene, or polypyrrole (PPy) to enhance material properties.
- Testing of thermal energy storage capacity, photothermal conversion efficiency, and cycling stability under solar irradiation.
Main Results:
- PPCM1218 exhibited high latent heat (157 J/g) with a melting point of 90.6°C.
- PCM mats retained significant enthalpy (up to 132 J/g) while maintaining mechanical integrity.
- PPy-functionalized mats showed enhanced conductivity (0.51 W/m·K thermal, 18.5 S/m electrical) and reached >90°C under 1.5 suns.
- Stable energy storage and release demonstrated over 100 thermal and photothermal cycles.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun polyester-based PCM mats offer a versatile platform for simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion.
- Functionalization significantly enhances the performance and conductivity of the mats.
- These multifunctional mats are promising for applications in high-temperature energy storage, solar water purification, and thermal management.
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