Functionalized
smart fabrics based on phase change materials (PCMs)
are potential candidates for adaptive temperature regulation. In this
work, composite PCM (CPCM) was first designed with optimized thermophysical
properties and antileakage performance. Magnesium oxide (MgO) whiskers
were used as the thermal filler to enhance the heat conduction of
the CPCM. To improve the compatibility between the filler and the
matrix, the whiskers were encapsulated by polystyrene (PS) hollow
fibers, forming nanostructured MgO@PS fibers, accompanied by reduced
interfacial thermal resistance (ITR). The composite phase change fabric
(CPCF) with uniformly distributed internal composition was prepared
by the vacuum impregnation method. Owing to the optimized CPCM matrix
and specifically designed MgO@PS nanostructure, the final developed
fabric (CPCF-M8) showed favorable phase change properties, good stability
and mechanical properties, and excellent thermal conductivity of 1.34
W/mK (a 434% improvement compared to the original CPCM). The efficient
thermoregulation capability of the CPCF-M8 was further confirmed by
performing the practical human thermal management tests with a maximum
temperature adjustment of 2.3 °C. In addition, the outdoor temperature
adaption tests revealed that the CPCF-M8 was able to provide self-cooling
and self-heating, resulting in a maximum 4.2 °C temperature adjustment.