PLA aerogel as a universal support for the typical organic phase change energy storage materials.

Abstract

We first prepared Polylactic acid (PLA) aerogels with high porosity based on a facile and efficient thermal induced phase separation technique. In view of the excellent internal nano structure of PLA aerogel, high porosity and suitable interfacial affinity, it was selected as a support material to encapsulate four common organic phase change materials (PCMs), thereby preparing anti-leakage, shape-stable and sustainable PCMs with ultra-high latent heat (178.9–224.9 J g−1). PLA aerogel encapsulated PCMs perform high enthalpy efficiency (>92 %), which may benefit from the highly internal compatible nanostructure of PLA. Thermally conductive fillers (Boron nitride and Graphene nanoplatelet) were introduced to improve thermal conductivity. An important factor of PLA aerogel as a universal encapsulation matrix is analyzed based on the solubility parameters and Flory-Huggins parameters. The application cases of smart container and thermal regulation in confined spaces further prove the practical application value in the thermal regulation and energy saving area.