Facile self-assembly approach to construct a novel MXene-decorated nano-sized phase change material emulsion for thermal energy storage

In recent years, phase change material emulsions (PCMEs) with enhanced energy storage capacities and good flow characteristics have drawn significant attention. However, due to the thermodynamically unstable nature and tiny particle confinement, the nanomaterial modification strategies at PCM/water interface to improve stabilities and reduce supercooling of nano-sized PCMEs (NPCMEs) are very limited and challenging. Herein, we report a facile strategy for constructing MXene-decorated NPCME with good stability, little supercooling, and high thermal conductivity by self-assembly of MXene nanosheets at PCM/water interface. The concentrations of MXene have great influences on the average droplet diameters, stabilities, and thermophysical properties of the NPCMEs. The results show that the PCMs have been well dispersed into the water in the form of quasi-spherical droplets, with average droplet diameters of 242–805 nm. The thermal conductivity of 10 wt% n-tetradecane/water NPCME containing 9 mg ml^-1 MXene is 0.693 W m^-1·K^-1, achieving an enhancement by 15.5%, as compared to that of water. Besides, the MXene-decorated paraffin/water NPCMEs exhibit little supercooling and enhanced heat storage capacities. More importantly, this facile self-assembly strategy opens a new platform for preparing high-performance NPCMEs, which can be used as novel heat transfer fluids for thermal energy storage systems.     

Stretchable and ultra-light non-woven thermal material with effective photo-thermal conversion based on solution blow spinning technology

An ideal insulation material has long been envisioned as one that not only minimizes heat loss but also provides additional heat. This study presents a non-woven fabric, comprising ultra-fine fibers embedded with zirconium carbide nanoparticles (ZrC NPs), prepared via solution blow spinning (SBS) and thermal crosslinking technology. Our results suggest that the fluffily-structured elastomer, fabricated using rigid polystyrene and flexible polyurethane, exhibits high porosity (96.96%), ultra-light characteristics (volume density of 47.12 mg cm⁻³), and effective heat retention (thermal conductivity of 23.1 mW mK⁻¹ at −40°C). Moreover, the fabric demonstrates remarkable fracture strength (206.38 kPa), high elongation at break (34.5%), and superior elasticity even after 100 compression cycles at 40% strain. Despite the fact that introducing 12% ZrC increases the thermal conductivity of the base fabric by 6%, the NPs endow the material with an excellent photothermal conversion function. Following 10 min of exposure to visible light, the surface temperature increases to 71.5°C. Given its impressive performance, this novel non-woven fabric demonstrates significant potential for applications in the field of cold protection.     

Effects of interfacial interactions of solid microparticles on the emulsion containing ionic liquid

The present work deals with the effects of ionic liquid and solid microparticles on the properties of emulsions. We found that increasing the concentration of ionic liquid 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆) resulted into smaller mean droplet size of the dispersed phase. This effect of ionic liquid is more profound at comparatively low concentration of surfactant. Further, the addition of solid microparticles resulted in comparatively increased stability of the emulsions containing BMIM-PF₆ which was the consequence of competitive interactions of solid microparticles and ions at the interfaces present in the emulsions.     

光热转换材料在相变储能领域的研究进展

相变储能是热储能的一种,即利用相变材料的储热特性来储存或释放热量,达到调控温度的效果。但相变材料往往不具备光吸收能力,不能及时收集太阳光,导致其光热转换效率较低。将相变材料与光热转换材料复合可以在增强吸光能力的同时将获得的能量存储在相变材料中,赋予复合相变材料高光热转换能力。该文对光热转换材料进行了分类,介绍了其光热转换机理、对紫外光-可见光-近红外光的吸收能力以及在相变领域的应用。此外,还阐述了光热复合相变材料 的复合策略,包括浸渍法、溶胶-凝胶法、涂层法和改性微胶囊法,分析表明,不同复合策略下制备的光热复合相变材料的光吸收能力、导热系数、光热转换效率几乎都得到了提高。因此,将光热转换材料拓展到相变储能领域将进一步优化太阳能资源。     

石蜡/MCM-41复合相变材料的结构及热性能

以石蜡为相变材料、SiO2介孔分子筛MCM-41为载体,采用溶液浸渍法制备了石蜡/MCM-41复合相变储能材料。应用SEM与TEM测试了复合材料的微观结构,利用TG-DSC测定了复合材料的相变温度、相变潜热及相变可逆性,通过FTIR对复合材料的兼容性进行了表征。实验表明,复合材料表面孔结构改善了相变可逆性,复合相变储能材料中石蜡的适宜质量分数为40%,相变温度为66.6℃,相变潜热为135.3 J/g。石蜡与MCM-41间是简单的嵌合关系,复合材料具有良好的热稳定性和兼容性。     

复合相变蓄热材料研制及性能分析

制备了一种复合相变蓄热材料,该蓄热材料是由两种相变材料(硬脂酸和石蜡油)组成,通过物理吸附的方法将其复合在固态支撑材料中,通过实验分析了所研制的蓄热材料的相变点、相变热、热稳定性及微相结构等性能。测试结果表明该蓄热材料具有较高的相变潜热和较好的热稳定性。     

Thermal stability of composite phase change material microcapsules incorporated with silver nano-particles

This paper reports a study on the thermal stability of phase change material microcapsules that are incorporated with silver nano-particles (Ag-NPs). The novel microcapsules were fabricated by the technique of in situ polymerization, with aminoplast as the wall and phase change material bromo-hexadecane (PCM BrC16) as the core. Thermal gravimetry (TG) analysis was applied to measure the thermal stability of these microcapsules and surface morphology of the microcapsules was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after an application of curing treatment at 130 °C. Comparing with conventional phase change material microcapsules (PCMMs), nano-composite phase change material microcapsules (NCPCMMs) have higher thermal stability. This can be attributed to nano-composite structure of the microcapsules, in which metal Ag-NPs distributed on the surface to increase wall toughness and strength. The possible reinforcement mechanisms of the nano-composite structure are explored.     

Preparation and characterization of nano-encapsulated n-tetradecane as phase change material for thermal energy storage

Nanocapsules used as phase change material (PCM) were prepared by using in situ polymerization methods. N-Tetradecane was used as the core material. Urea and formaldehyde were used for the shell polymerization. Sodium dodecyl sulfate was used as the emulsifier and resorcin was used as the system modifier. The morphology of the nanocapsules was observed by a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The thermal properties were investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The SEM analysis indicated that the nanocapsules had general size of about 100 nm and the core material was well encapsulated. DSC analysis indicated that the mass content of n-tetradecane was up to 60%, which resulted in a high latent heat of fusion of 134.16 kJ/kg. TGA showed the thermal stability of the nanocapsules could be improved by the additives (NaCl) used in the polymerization. The nanocapsules could be applied for thermal energy storage and heat transfer enhancement.     

硫酸铝铵相变蓄热材料实验研究

通过对硫酸铝铵[NH4Al(SO4)2.12H2O]的实验研究,寻找减小其过冷度,改善其储热性能的方法。按照溶液配制法,在熔融的硫酸铝铵中依次加入适量的有效添加剂及去离子水,记录蓄热体系放热时的温度变化,反复调节添加剂的质量比,达到最佳配置。结果表明,硫酸铝铵中添加质量分数为1.8%的氟化钙、0.4%的碳、6%的去离子水能够较好地抑制过冷,保证放热速率。重复性实验验证,该材料是低温范围内具有较高相变温度、相变潜热大、放热性能稳定、重复性良好的蓄热材料,可以应用于电蓄热、回收城市废热等领域。     

硬脂酸/活化凹凸棒石复合相变储热材料的制备与表征

以热活化的甘肃临泽凹凸棒石为基体,采用热熔法和浸渍法制备了硬脂酸/活化凹凸棒石复合相变储热材料。利用红外光谱仪(FTIR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等方法表征了复合材料的结构,采用示差量热扫描仪(DSC)和储放热实验考察了复合材料的储/放性能和稳定性。结果表明采用热熔法和溶液浸渍法制备的材料具有相同的结构,硬脂酸按38.5%的负载率以物理作用吸附于活化凹凸棒石表面,其相应的相变焓分别为68.44 J/g和69.06 J/g。稳定性实验表明2种材料均具有良好的化学稳定性,但热稳定性存在差异,热熔法制备的复合材料的热稳定性优于浸渍法制备的复合材料。     

Latent heat characteristics of fatty acid derivatives pursuant phase change material applications

In their natural form, fats and vegetable oils melt at temperatures useful for thermal energy storage. Incremental improvement of their heat release characteristics could pave the way for commercial applications as phase change materials (PCM). These chemicals could provide a biomaterial alternative to a technology dominated by paraffin and salt products.Mixture heats of fusion and melting points were evaluated for single acid derivatives of stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids to develop a fundamental understanding of the solid-liquid transition and to better understand how to convert natural compositions to useful PCM products. Many mixtures of monoacid derivatives of a single fatty acid formed single sharp solid-liquid phase transitions useful for PCM applications. These mixtures also qualitatively exhibited freezing point depression therein allowing the mixture composition to be used as a means to control the temperature of the phase transition. In mixtures of monoacid derivatives from different fatty acids, melting occurred over wider temperature ranges with eventual separation of the solid-liquid transition to at least two different events. This work demonstrates that it is possible to fully convert natural fatty acid mixtures into high performance phase change materials.     

Analysis of carbon dioxide-to-methanol direct electrochemical conversion mediated by an ionic liquid

An intensified process for carbon dioxide capture and conversion is proposed and analyzed, considering an electrochemical parallel plate reactor which processes a CO₂-charged stream from an absorption unit at 40 °C and atmospheric pressure and where the target product of the conversion is methanol.The task-specific ionic liquid 1-(3-aminopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium bromide was selected, synthesized and characterized. This ionic liquid has shown a good absorption capacity, high ionic conductivity, high chemical–electrochemical stability and acts as a charged intermediate (CO₂^*−) stabilizer, enabling the electrochemical reduction of absorbed CO₂.The electrical energy in the electrochemical reactor was estimated to be 8.683 kWh kg (CO₂)⁻¹ or 115.16 g (CO₂) kWh⁻¹, too high to ensure the environmental sustainability of the process. A low concentration of carbon dioxide in the liquid phase, at ambient conditions, implies the need for a high electrode area for the process and is a major hindrance to improving the economy of the process.     

离子液体/羊毛纤维/凝固剂三元相图的构建

三元相图是研究羊毛角蛋白再生过程热力学行为的有效工具.通过浊度测试和Boom经验方程构建离子液体(IL)/羊毛纤维/凝固剂浊点线性关系(LCP)曲线和三元相图,进一步系统地研究了凝固剂种类、再生温度和离子液体结构对羊毛角蛋白再生性能的影响规律.结果表明,羊毛角蛋白最优再生体系是1-乙基-3-甲基咪唑磷酸二乙酯([Emi...     

十八烷/PSt相变微胶囊的制备及其热性能研究

细乳液法制备了十八烷/聚苯乙烯(PSt)相变微胶囊,用TEM、DLS和DSC等对微胶囊进行了表征。研究了十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)的加入量、亲水性单体丙烯酸的加入量、引发剂类型以及苯乙烯与十八烷的加料比对产物形态的影响。研究表明:低的SDS浓度有利于微胶囊结构的形成,产物粒子的平均粒径随SDS加入量的增大而减小;加入亲水性共聚单体丙烯酸可以改善微胶囊的形态,但产物中PSt均相微球增多;使用油溶性引发剂AIBN比使用KPS更加有利于微胶囊的形成;苯乙烯与十八烷的投料比为1∶1时,制备的微胶囊相变焓为111.6 J/g。     

Complicated phase behavior and ionic conductivities of PVP-co-PMMA-based polymer electrolytes

We have used DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, and ac impedance techniques to investigate the interactions that occur within complexes of poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-methyl methacrylate) (PVP-co-PMMA) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as well as these systems' phase behavior and ionic conductivities. The presence of MMA moieties in the PVP-co-PMMA random copolymer has an inert diluent effect that reduces the degree of self-association of the PVP molecules and causes a negative deviation in the glass transition temperature (T_g). In the binary LiClO₄/PVP blends, the presence of a small amount of LiClO₄ reduces the strong dipole-dipole interactions within PVP and leads to a lower T_g. Further addition of LiClO₄ increases T_g as a result of ion-dipole interactions between LiClO₄ and PVP. In LiClO₄/PVP-co-PMMA blend systems, for which the three individual systems—the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer and the LiClO₄/PVP and LiClO₄/PMMA blends—are miscible at all compositional ratios, a phase-separated loop exists at certain compositions due to a complicated series of interactions among the LiClO₄, PVP and PMMA units. The PMMA-rich component in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer tends to be excluded, and this phenomenon results in phase separation. At a LiClO₄ content of 20 wt% salt, the maximum ionic conductivity occurred for a LiClO₄/VP57 blend (i.e., 57 mol% VP units in the PVP-co-PMMA copolymer).     

Polyterthiophene/CNT composite as a cathode material for lithium batteries employing an ionic liquid electrolyte

A polyterthiophene (PTTh)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) composite was synthesised by in situ chemical polymerisation and used as an active cathode material in lithium cells assembled with an ionic liquid (IL) or conventional liquid electrolyte, LiBF₄/EC-DMC-DEC. The IL electrolyte consisted of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF₄) containing LiBF₄ and a small amount of vinylene carbonate (VC). The lithium cells were characterised by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The specific capacity of the cells with IL and conventional liquid electrolytes after the 1st cycle was 50 and 47 mAh g⁻¹ (based on PTTh weight), respectively at the C/5 rate. The capacity retention after the 100th cycle was 78% and 53%, respectively. The lithium cell assembled with a PTTh/CNT composite cathode and a non-flammable IL electrolyte exhibited a mean discharge voltage of 3.8 V vs Li⁺/Li and is a promising candidate for high-voltage power sources with enhanced safety.     

面向中温储热的D-半乳糖醇/肌糖醇二元共晶相变材料热稳定性研究

相变材料的热稳定性在实际相变储热应用中至关重要。通过熔融共混的方法制备了可用于中温储热的D-半乳糖醇（69%（mol））/肌糖醇二元共晶相变材料,使用真空管式炉分别在463、473、483和493 K温度下将该共晶混合物加热5、10、15和20 h。然后采用差示扫描量热仪测量试样的熔化焓,并采用基于焓值变化的恒温动力学模型分析其焓值热降解特性,从而对其热稳定性进行评价。此外,采用添加抗氧化剂1010（1.0%（质量））的方法提高共晶糖醇的热稳定性。结果表明,在463 K温度下加热20 h后,共晶糖醇焓值下降24.9%;添加抗氧化剂后,其焓值仅下降8.25%。采用恒温动力学模型计算发现,共晶糖醇在463 K温度下焓值下降一半所用的时间为154 h,添加抗氧化剂1010后,其热降解时间增加约4倍。当加热温度升高至473、483、493 K时,热降解时间分别提高约2.6、1.6、1.1倍,热降解速率 k值分别降低62.65%、40.42%、6.51%。结果表明添加抗氧化剂可有效提高共晶糖醇的热稳定性。     

相变储热的传热强化技术研究进展

相变储热技术具有储热密度大、相变温度稳定以及过程容易控制等优点,具有广泛应用前景。相变储热技术在应用中需完成热能的储存与释放过程,其传热特性直接决定应用效果。储热技术的传热强化主要包括三个方面：一是相变材料本身的导热强化;二是潜热型功能热流体的对流传热强化;三是储热器的传热强化。本文综述了国内外在相变储热技术的传热强化研究方面的进展,主要介绍了膨胀石墨、泡沫金属等复合相变材料的导热强化,相变微胶囊及相变微、纳米乳液潜热型功能热流体传热强化以及管壳式储热器、板式储热器、螺旋盘管储热器等储热器的传热强化。文章指出,膨胀石墨基复合相变材料具有高热导率、大储热密度以及良好的定型特性,且价格低廉,极具应用前景。纳米乳液功能热流体具有表观比热容大、流阻较小等优势,但存在稳定性较差、过冷度大等问题。板式储热器具有较大的传热面积、较高的传热功率,适宜应用于相变材料传热系统。但应用背景不同,针对不同场景提供不同储热器的选型及指导值得作进一步的研究。     

Novel phase change materials based on fatty acid eutectics and triallyl isocyanurate composites for thermal energy storage

In this study, a series of dimension‐stabilized fatty acid eutectics and triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) composite phase change materials were prepared via in situ reaction by blending the fatty acids and TAIC, in which the fatty acids were introduced as a phase change material (PCM), and TAIC performed as a supporting material by self‐crosslinking. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to investigate the chemical structure, crystalline properties, phase transition behavior, microstructure, and thermal stability of the composites. The results indicated that the composite possessed excellent thermal reliability and heat storage durability even after 300 heating–cooling cycles. Moreover, the composites had applicable phase transition temperatures in the range of 26–40 °C and satisfying latent heat storage capacities of higher than 110 J/g. The SEM images showed that the particle size of the nanoparticles of the composites was about 200 nm after treatment. The dimensional measurement of the composites proved a high service temperature of 100 °C, indicating that the composites were promising for thermal energy storage materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44866.     

赤藓糖醇相变储热材料研究进展

赤藓糖醇具有较高的相变焓、无毒以及优异的热稳定性,作为综合性能较好的中温相变储能材料被广泛研究。但是,赤藓糖醇在相变过程中存在易泄漏、过冷度大以及导热性能较差的缺点,导致其热能的利用效率不高,极大地限制了其作为储热材料的应用。本文综述了近年来在解决赤藓糖醇相变储热材料易泄漏、过冷度高和热导率低等问题的研究进展。赤藓糖醇定型复合相变储热材料的制备方法主要有共混压制法、静电纺丝法、微胶囊法及多孔材料吸附法等,可根据不同制备方法采取相应复合策略以达到对其封装定型、降低过冷度和提高热导率的目的。最后认为未来对赤藓糖醇复合相变储热材料的研究除了解决其本身存在的热性能问题,还需对其进行功能化,以拓展其应用前景。