Form-stable phase change composites encapsulated in 1D multifunctional matrices for enhanced electro-thermal energy conversion

Advanced thermal management in phase change materials (PCMs) requires innovative solutions to simultaneously address three critical challenges: leakage prevention, thermal/electrical conductivity enhancement, and thermal energy storage optimization. Our research demonstrates that strategic incorporation of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured additives coordinates the inherent contradiction between preventing liquid leakage, electro-thermal energy conversion, and thermal storage density. The composite system exhibits enhanced leak resistance through synergistic intermolecular interactions and physical fixation of the terephthalic acid manganese skeletal framework (TAMn, 0.5–2 μm particle size). Concurrently, optimized dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) creates a three-dimensional conductive network that significantly enhances both thermal transport ( k PCMs , 3× thermal conductivity enhancement) and electrical properties ( δ PCMs , 4 orders of magnitude conductivity increase). The meso-microscale CNT framework modulates intermolecular interactions between hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The incorporation of CNTs into the PEG/TAMn3 composite system results in a significant enhancement of energy storage density from 96.5 J g −1 to 113.5 J g −1 , accompanied by a simultaneous improvement in energy storage efficiency from 71.1 % to 97.4 %. This dual-phase engineering approach establishes a new paradigm for developing high-performance PCM composites that maintain dimensional stability while dramatically improving energy transfer capabilities. Consequently, PCM composites demonstrate high-efficiency energy transduction from electrical to thermal forms, facilitating both thermal energy storage and precise temperature regulation of the material system.