Cellulose aerogel-based phase-change composites for high-efficiency thermal energy storage and personal thermal management

Personal thermal management technologies based on phase-change materials (PCMs) are critical for energy sustainability and human comfort, yet challenges remain in achieving high energy storage density, thermal conductivity, and shape stability simultaneously. Here, a cellulose aerogel composite by integrating ionic liquid-modified graphene oxide (IGNs) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for personal thermal management was proposed. A three-dimensional porous IGNs/cellulose aerogel scaffold, synthesized through ionic liquid-assisted dispersion and chemical cross-linking, provides exceptional shape stability (zero leakage under 70 °C compression) and high PEG loading capacity (91%). The aerogel exhibits a considerable thermal enthalpy density (163.9 J/g), achieving a relative enthalpy efficiency of 99.5%. Moreover, the addition of 5.4 wt.% graphene oxide nanosheets (IGNs) enhances the thermal conductivity of the composite to 0.898 W/(m K −1 ), representing a 241% increase compared to composites without IGNs. Notably, the IGNs/cellulose framework enables efficient solar-thermal conversion (surface temperature rises to 172.5 °C within 20 s under 1.0 W cm −2 irradiation) and cyclic stability (0.4% latent heat loss after 30 thermal cycles). Combined with breathability (24.9% enhanced water vapor permeability) and mechanical robustness (intact structure after 24 h dynamic immersion), this work provides an effective strategy for wearable personal thermal management in complex and dynamic environments. Graphical