Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• A “five-in-one” multifunctional phase-change composite is developed for magnetothermal, electrothermal, solar-thermal, and thermoelectric energy conversion and electromagnetic shielding applications. • The developed composite is based on an innovative combination of carbonized polyimide/Kevlar/graphene oxide@ZIF-67 complex aerogel as a supporting material and paraffin wax as a phase-change material. • The developed composite exhibits excellent solar-thermal, thermoelectric, electrothermal, and magnetothermal energy conversion performance along with high electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness. • The introduction of paraffin wax significantly improves thermal energy-storage capacity, enabling applications in solar energy utilization, sustainable power generation, outdoor deicing, human thermal therapy, and electronic device protection.
Abstract
To address the limitations of conventional energy systems and optimize the energy conversion pathways and efficiency, a type of “five-in-one” multifunctional phase-change composite with magnetothermal, electrothermal, solar-thermal, and thermoelectric energy conversion and electromagnetic shielding functions is developed for multipurpose applications. Such a novel phase-change composite is fabricated by an innovative combination of paraffin wax (PW) as a phase-change material and a carbonized polyimide/Kevlar/graphene oxide@ZIF-67 complex aerogel as a supporting material. The carbonized complex aerogel exhibits a unique bidirectional porous structure with high porosity and robust skeleton to support the loading of PW. The reduced graphene oxide and CoNC resulting from high-temperature carbonization are anchored on the aerogel skeleton to generate high thermal conduction and magnetic effect, enhancing the phonon and electron transfer of the aerogel and improving its energy conversion efficiency. The phase-change composite not only exhibits excellent solar-thermal, thermoelectric, electrothermal, and magnetothermal energy conversion performance, but also achieves high electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of 66.2 dB in the X-band. The introduction of PW significantly improves the thermal energy-storage capacity during multi-energy conversion. The developed composite exhibits great application potential for efficient solar energy utilization, sustainable power generation, outdoor deicing, human thermal therapy, and electronic device protection.
1. Introduction
The efficient utilization of clean energy, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and nuclear energy, becomes a paramount concern as the world grapples with the challenges of finite fossil fuel resources and climate changes [1]. A clean energy revolution is happening all over the world, and its critical use lies in the energy storage and conversion. The rational energy-storage strategy enables the transformation of intermittent clean energy sources as usable forms to make them more reliable and accessible [2, 3]. The form of energy conversion not only expands the potential applications of clean energy, but also determines the utilization efficiency and effectiveness of clean energy [4, 5]. For example, the solar-thermal energy conversion allows sunlight to be converted into thermal energy and then used for heating purposes [6]. The electrothermal conversion can transform electrical energy into thermal energy, which is essential for industrial and domestic applications. A higher energy conversion efficiency can absorb more amounts of clean energy from renewable sources and minimize the energy loss during the energy-storage process to reduce the need of additional energy inputs [7]. Therefore, the development of advanced functional energy materials and relevant technologies for clean energy storage with high conversion efficiency and multiple conversion paths is crucial for consistent and reliable energy supply [8].
As a type of promising latent heat storage material, phase-change materials (PCMs) have received increasing attention in recent years due to their great application potential in clean energy conversion and storage. They have the unique ability to store a large amount of thermal energy as latent heat and release it through reversible phase transitions [9]. With high chemical stability, large latent heat capacity, and good durability, PCMs have been developed to satisfy multipurpose applications such as heat treatment packaging of electronic devices [10], energy-efficient construction [11], radiative cooling [12, 13], and synchronous visual/infrared thermal stealth [14]. However, PCMs have two inherent limitations, including low thermal conductance and high fluidity in the molten state [15]. The low thermal conductance of PCMs impedes their heat transfer, suppressing their energy conversion, storage, and release. On the other hand, the high fluidity of the molten PCMs leads to poor shape/form stability and easy leakage in use, thus reducing their energy-storage capacity during the long-term processes of latent heat storage and release [16]. Therefore, PCMs need to be modified.
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Tao Shi, Xing Gao, Huan Liu, Xiaodong Wang (2025). Multi-Energy Conversion and Electromagnetic Shielding Enabled by Carbonized Polyimide/Kevlar/Graphene Oxide@ZIF-67 Bidirectional Complex Aerogel-Encapsulated Phase-Change Materials. Nano-Micro Letters. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01761-w
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main innovation of this study?
The study develops a 'five-in-one' multifunctional phase-change composite that integrates magnetothermal, electrothermal, solar-thermal, and thermoelectric energy conversion with electromagnetic shielding, using a carbonized polyimide/Kevlar/graphene oxide@ZIF-67 complex aerogel as a support for paraffin wax.
How does the composite achieve high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness?
The composite achieves an electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of 66.2 dB in the X-band, attributed to the conductive and magnetic properties imparted by reduced graphene oxide and CoNC nanoparticles anchored on the aerogel skeleton.
What are the potential applications of this composite?
The composite shows great potential for efficient solar energy utilization, sustainable power generation, outdoor deicing, human thermal therapy, and electronic device protection.
What role does paraffin wax play in the composite?
Paraffin wax acts as a phase-change material, significantly improving the thermal energy-storage capacity during multi-energy conversion processes.
What is the significance of the bidirectional porous structure?
The bidirectional porous structure of the carbonized aerogel provides high porosity and a robust skeleton, which supports the loading of paraffin wax and enhances thermal conduction and energy conversion efficiency.
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