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High-Enthalpy Solid-Solid Phase Change Composite Constructed From Physical Entanglements for Multimodal Thermal
Zijin Yan1, Guang Chen1, Zhi Li1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Materials of Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 23, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel solid-solid phase change material (PCM) composite for advanced thermal management. The material offers high energy storage, efficient photo/electro-thermal conversion, and strain-sensing capabilities without liquid leakage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Advanced equipment requires thermal management systems with high energy storage and active regulation.
- Solid-liquid phase change materials (SLPCMs) face leakage issues, while chemical cross-linking reduces heat storage capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional solid-solid PCM composite overcoming limitations of existing materials.
- To achieve high energy storage density, active thermal regulation, and sensing capabilities.
Main Methods:
- A folding-hot-pressing process utilizing physical chain entanglement of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (HPEG) and low-molecular-weight PEG (LPEG).
- Incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form conductive networks.
- Characterization of phase-change enthalpy, photo/electro-thermal conversion efficiency, and strain-sensing properties.
Main Results:
- A solid-solid PCM composite with high phase-change enthalpy (158.0 J g-1) and suppressed liquid leakage.
- Achieved photo/electro-thermal conversion efficiencies of 92.1% and 91.2% respectively, due to CNT networks.
- Demonstrated rubber-like elasticity, shape programmability, and a gauge factor (GF) of 1.36 for strain sensing.
Conclusions:
- The developed composite integrates passive heat storage, active heating, and motion monitoring.
- This multifunctional material offers an adaptable thermal management solution for specialized robotics and electronics in extreme environments.
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