Carbon nanotube graphene multilevel network based phase change fibers and their energy storage properties†

Abstract

Phase change fibers with abilities to store/release thermal energy and responsiveness to multiple stimuli are of high interest for wearable thermal management textiles. However, it is still a challenge to prepare phase change fibers with superior comprehensive properties, especially proper thermal conductivity. Here, we report a cooperative in situ impregnation strategy to introduce graphene oxide (GO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) together into the carbon nanotube (CNT) network during the expansion process and construct a 1D–2D multilevel skeleton, resulting in a CNT/GO/PEG composite phase change fiber. The presence of GO plays a more important role in increasing the interfacial contact and space volume, resulting in the characteristics of high loading (up to 96.8–98.4%), phase change enthalpy, and relatively lower thermal conductivity. Therefore, the CNT/GO/PEG phase change fiber demonstrates higher thermal efficiency during the exothermic process, showing good thermal management characteristics.