Silica phase-change aerogel composites with incorporated n-hexadecane microcapsules: microstructure and enhanced dynamic thermal insulation

The rapid advancement of new energy vehicles presents numerous challenges, among which the growing incidence of battery overheating-related accidents highlights the urgent need for effective thermal insulation materials for battery thermal management. To address this demand, microencapsulated phase-change materials (MEPCMs) comprising a titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) shell and an n-hexadecane core were synthesized through interfacial polymerization. Incorporation of the MEPCMs into SiO 2 aerogels (SA) prepared by ambient drying yielded a novel phase-change aerogel composite material (MSA). The composite demonstrated a slightly higher thermal conductivity, 0.041 W/m·K, than both pristine silica aerogels and those directly loaded with n-hexadecane. Its latent heat reached 91.39 J/g, thereby combining thermal insulation with energy storage to achieve dynamic thermal regulation. Overall, this simple and scalable fabrication approach underscores the aerogel composite’s promise in battery thermal management and other thermal regulation uses. Graphical The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.