The effects of nanoparticles on morphology and thermal properties of erythritol/polyvinyl alcohol phase change composite fibers

Abstract

Erythritol (E)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) phase change composite fibers in which PVA acts as supporting material and different contents of erythritol act as phase change materials (PCMs) were prepared by electrospinning. The effects of different nanoparticles on fiber morphology and thermal properties of composites were also studied. The morphology and thermal properties were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and a thermal conductivity test, respectively. The results showed E/PVA composite fibers were cylindrical with a smooth surface. The content of erythritol in composites could reach a high of 80 wt% with good shape stability, and a high enthalpy value of 258.9 J/g after 100 thermal cycles. The effects of nanoparticles on composites were mainly embodied in decreasing average fiber diameters (AFDs), phase change temperatures and enthalpies with the increase of particle concentrations, and improving fiber stability and thermal conductivity. Among them, the smallest AFDs (0.56 μm) and the lowest heat loss rate (1.0%) were obtained from composites with 4% nano C and 4% nano Al 2 O 3 , respectively. The 4% nano SiO 2 composites possessed the best shape stability. In addition, the composites that contains 4% nano carbon could decrease the erythritol's supercooling of 7.55°C, and showed the highest thermal conductivity of 1.55 W/m · K, which was 167% of E/PVA composites. These results demonstrate that E/PVA composites possess high enthalpy values while they improve shape stability and thermal conductivity.

PCM nanofibrous composites based on PEG/PVA incorporated by TiO2/Ag nanoparticles for thermal energy management

“…Most of reported studies used pre‐synthesized nanoparticles and limited researches investigated in situ formation of nanoparticles through electrospinning of form‐stable PCM fibrous composite 17,23 . For instance, Che et al investigated influences of embedding varied nanoparticle fillers on thermal features of erythritol/PVA composite PCMs prepared by electrospinning and reported a diminished erythritol's supercooling of 7.55°C together with enhanced thermoregulation properties 25 . In situ formation of nanoparticles in spinning solution in presence of PCM and polymer not only shortens the step and cost of the process but also endows some possible chemical interactions among the polymer, PCM and nanoparticles owing to use of reducing agent and other chemicals likely influencing on thermal energy storage behavior that have been rarely stated in the literature.…”

Studies on Preparation and Performances of Multifunctional Sugar Alcohol-Encapsulated Nanofiber Mats

“…As previously reported in the literature, the encapsulation of small molecules as cores in fibers is challenging. 25,26 The viscosity of the solution is a crucial parameter for electrospinning as it directly impacts the charge carried by the jet and its stability in the electric field force. This, in turn, is instrumental in fiber formation.…”

“…Because of their small molecular size, SAs are challenging to combine with fibers in a crystalline form. Previous approaches involved adsorbing SAs onto fibers using melting impregnation methods and blended spinning techniques. ,, However, these combinations are unstable and prone to leakage. Alternatively, we aim to employ coaxial electrospinning technology, which allows for internal encapsulation of materials .…”

Biodegradable Polymeric Solid Framework-Based Organic Phase-Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

“…Simultaneously, they investigated on the effects of diverse nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , carbon, and TiO 2 ) on thermal characteristics, where the enthalpy values of 256−257 J/g for 0.5% of nanoparticles and a latent heat storage of ∼250 J/g for 4% nanoparticles were attained. 174 Zhong and co-workers synthesized solid−solid PCMs by cross-linking PEG-4000 with PVOH and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and compared the resulting terpolymer with pristine PEG, wherein they elucidated that the enthalpy of PCM was weakened from 168 J/g to 73 J/g. 175 The result obtained was due to a cross-linked structure as well as stiffer benzene rings present in the main chain, thereby reducing the crystalline region, which, in turn, lessens the enthalpy.…”

“…The obtained fibers exhibited good shape stability with LHS = 259 J/g for 80 wt % PCM after 100 cooling/heating cycles. Simultaneously, they investigated on the effects of diverse nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , carbon, and TiO 2 ) on thermal characteristics, where the enthalpy values of 256–257 J/g for 0.5% of nanoparticles and a latent heat storage of ∼250 J/g for 4% nanoparticles were attained …”