Phase change material (PCM) is a kind of material that changes its shape with temperature and can provide latent heat. It is often used in the preparation of temperature regulated textiles. However, the inherent solid rigidity and liquid leakage of phase change materials have been hindering their large-scale application in the wearable thermal adjustment field. To solve these problems, researchers have tried various strategies including microencapsulation.
Recently, material scientists have developed a textile material made of ultra-fine nanofibers. This nanofiber is made of phase change materials and other materials, and then combined with electrothermal and photothermal coatings to finally become a material that can be used for textile and clothing. It is verified by experiments that the nano material can react to the changing temperature according to the needs, and appropriately adjust the micro environment temperature of the wearer.
Hideki Morikawa, a senior textile engineer from the Fiber Engineering Research Institute of the University of Sincho in Japan, who is a researcher of the project, said, "The manufacturing method of phase change microcapsules is complex and expensive, and it is not flexible enough for any practical wearable application." The newly researched nano fiber materials can well improve the defects of phase change microcapsules.
For the preparation of the nanofiber, the researchers chose the coaxial electrospinning method. The principle of coaxial electrospinning is roughly the same as that of electrospinning. The main difference is that its spinneret is improved to a composite structure of concentric axis, so that coating or hollow nanofibers can be produced.
In this case, the researchers encapsulated the phase change materials in the core layer of electrospun nanofibers to solve the problem of liquid leakage. At the same time, they integrated the phase change materials, carbon nanotubes, polydopamine solar absorbers, and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonic acid) into a "three body mode" to adjust the temperature, It realizes the preparation of temperature adjustable textiles and endows them with good properties.
This multi-core and shell structure realizes the synergy between various components and provides on-demand thermal regulation that can adapt to a wide range of environmental temperature changes. Most importantly, the high flexibility of ultra-fine nanofibers greatly improves the comfort of textiles and clothing. It is understood that the next goal of the researchers is to further improve the phase change characteristics of the fabric and use this material to develop practical wearable devices.
source:https://www.tnc.com.cn/info/c-001001-d-3727181.html