Leakage-free porous cellulose-based phase change cryogels for sound and thermal insulation

Leakage-free phase change materials (PCM) are used as passive energy storage systems that thermoregulate indoor environments. In this research, we synthesized highly porous hybrid materials based on non-covalent physical interactions between (poly)ethylene glycol (PEG) and modified cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), namely lignin-containing CNF (LCNF) or acetylated CNF (ACNF). The PEG/CNF hybrid, termed phase change nanohybrids (PCN), were ultra-lightweight (0.022–0.043 g/cm3), mechanically resilient, and displayed a high latent energy storage, up to 204 J/g. The PCN systems (specific heat capacity as high as 2.24 J/g K) were effective in thermal regulating 2.23 °C with a 1 mm thickness coverage while maintaining thermal stability. The PCN also demonstrated favorable thermal management under excess solar heating, providing 33.5 °C of insulative protection with a 1.5 cm thick system. The PCNs have exceptional acoustic absorbance (100% absorbance for 1600 Hz and 50% at lower frequencies, 500 Hz). Trace metal oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles improved the PCN thermoregulating abilities, revealing desirable opportunities in multi-functional applications. Our biobased PCN is a promising insulation and passive energy storage alternative for thermal protection in smart building, electronic, packaging, energy storage system and aerospace sectors.

Description

Funding Information: This research received funding from the Academy of Finland ( 343192 ), Business Finland ( 7428/31/2022 , PCMI project) the Canada Excellence Research Chair Program ( CERC-2018-00006 ) and Canada Foundation for Innovation (Project number 38623 ). The authors thank Monireh Imani for the preparation of lignin containing cellulose, Jose M. Cucharero (Lumir OY) for impedance measurements, Ayako Takagi for graphics, and Ari Seppälä for thermal conductivity measurement. This research utilized OtaNano Nanomicroscopy Center (NMC) and Bioeconomy and RawMatters research infrastructures. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

Keywords

Acoustic absorbance, Cellulose nanofibril, Insulation, Latent heat storage, Phase change material, Thermoregulation

DOI

10.1016/j.solmat.2023.112337

Citation

Le , W T , Kankkunen , A , Rojas , O J & Yazdani , M R 2023 , ' Leakage-free porous cellulose-based phase change cryogels for sound and thermal insulation ' , Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , vol. 256 , 112337 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2023.112337

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202305032936

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[article-cris] Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu / ENG

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