Multifunctional Carbon-Based Hybrid Foams for Shape-Stabilization of Phase Change Materials, Thermal Energy Storage, and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Functions

Abstract

Carbon-red mud foam/paraffin hybrid materials were prepared and studied for their thermal energy storage and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties. The host matrices were prepared utilizing the polymeric foam replication method, with a polyurethane sponge as a template, resin as a carbon source, and red mud as a filler. The paraffins, n-octadecane (OD) and the commercial RT18HC, were used as organic encapsulant phase change materials (PCMs) into the open pore structure of the foams. The foams’ morphological and structural study revealed a highly porous structure (bulk density, apparent porosity P > 65%), which exhibits elliptical and spherical pores, sized from 50 up to 500 μm, and cell walls composed of partially graphitized carbon and various oxide phases. The hybrid foams showed a remarkable encapsulation efficiency as shape stabilizers for paraffins: 48.8% (OD), 37.8% (RT18HC), while their melting enthalpies (ΔHm) were found to be 126.9 J/g and 115.5 J/g, respectively. The investigated hybrids showed efficient electromagnetic shielding performance in frequency range of 3.5–9.0 GHz reaching the entry-level value of ~20 dB required for commercial applications, when filled with PCMs. Their excellent thermal and EMI shielding performance places the as-prepared samples as promising candidates for use in thermal management and EMI shielding of electronic devices as well.

Enhanced Gypsum Boards with Activated Carbon Composites and Phase Change Materials for Advanced Thermal Energy Storage and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Properties

“…The most efficient approach to prevent leakage during the solid-liquid phase transition and to minimize corrosion in structural materials involves utilizing a shape stabilizer (SS) supporting matrix. This matrix encapsulates the PCM, enabling it to maintain its molten form consistently at elevated temperatures [11][12][13].…”

“…Carbon-based porous materials, such as carbon-based foam, expanded graphite, graphene oxide, graphene aerogel, and activated carbon, establish a promising basis for the incorporation of functional additives like PCMs [11,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. These materials possess excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity in combination with high surface areas and interconnected pore structures, allowing for efficient PCM impregnation and enhanced thermal conductivity and EMI shielding [4].…”