J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 206: 113-124.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.04.021

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Engineering tiramisu-like phase change nanocomposite for superior thermal energy management and electromagnetic interference shielding

Boyang Hua, Hong Guoa,b,*, Ting Lia, Xiwei Caoa, Min Caoc, Weiyan Qid, Ying Cuia, Baoan Lia,*   

  1. aCarbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China;
    bDepartment of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Ren'ai College, Tianjin 301636, China;
    cMOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China;
    dLaboratoire des Solides Irradiés, CEA/DRF/lRAMIS, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau F-91128, France;
  • Received:2024-03-05 Revised:2024-04-02 Accepted:2024-04-03 Published:2025-01-20 Online:2025-01-20
  • Contact: *Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Centre, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pol- lution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China. E-mail addresses: guohong@nankai.edu.cn (H. Guo), libaoan@nankai.edu.cn (B. Li)

Abstract: Exploiting advanced nanocomposites isochronally integrating outstanding thermal conductivity (TC) and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) can boost the cutting-edge application of phase change materials. Here, we report a tiramisu-like composite (GMP), where the typical “crust-and-cheese” hierarchical structure is replicated by an innovative two-step bidirectional freezing assembly (BFA) and compressive densification. Hierarchical-aligned graphene array (G-GA) with ultralow thermal resistance is fabricated through 1st BFA and graphitization. During the 2nd BFA, the MXene-CNF crosslinking network with hydrogen-bond actions is used for encapsulating polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the microlayers of the G-GA skeleton. Remarkably, the microlaminated GMP4 achieves a recorded TC of 34.05 W m-1 K-1, unprecedented EMI SE of 87.4 dB, and preferable enthalpy density of 179.4 J cm-3, along with leakage-free function, and eminent thermal durability. Furthermore, the GMP-loaded equipment is demonstrated for efficient microelectronics cooling and sustainable solar energy utilization. This work opens new avenues for multiscale designing multifunctional macro-composites, broadening the application prospects in advanced electronics and solar energy utilization systems.

Key words: Phase change composite, Multiscale structure construction, Bidirectional freezing assembly, Thermal management, EMI shielding