Largely improved thermal conductivity and flame resistance of phase change materials based on three-dimensional melamine foam/phosphorous cellulose/graphite nanoplatelets network with multiple energy transition abilities

Solid-liquid organic phase change materials (OPCMs) appeal tremendous attention in thermal energy storage and management for their various merits. However, low thermal conductivity (TC), inferior encapsulation ability and fatal fire hazard significantly impair the application accessibility of the OPCMs. This work designed and fabricated a new three-dimensional (3D) melamine foam (MF)/phosphorous cellulose (PC)/graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) (MF/PC/GNP) network to compound with the OPCMs with all these problems simultaneously sovled. With the assistance of MF-modified ice-templated method and PC, the GNPs form a dense network to efficiently enhance the TC of the composite PCMs to 1.08 W/(m.K) at a relatively low content of 2.39 wt%, while the electric conductivity (EC) reaches 0.690 S/cm. In addition, the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) of the composite PCMs decreases from 725.62 kW/m(2) of pure PEG to 624.04 kW/m(2). Besides, the MF/PC/GNP network also endows the composite PCMs with multiple energy-transition aiblities.

Automated summary

This study designed and fabricated a new 3D network structure to address the issues of low thermal conductivity, inferior encapsulation ability, and fire hazard in OPCMs. The composite PCMs with the MF/PC/GNP network showed improved thermal conductivity, reduced heat release rate, and multiple energy-transition abilities.