Form-stable phase change composites with high thermal conductivity and adjustable thermal management capacity

In this work, form-stable phase change composites (PCCs) with high thermal conductivity and adjustable thermal management capacity are prepared based on phase change microcapsules (SiO2@SA) and surface-modified boron nitride (m-BN). The phase change properties are successfully infused into PCCs through the incorporation of microcapsules and the thermal conductivity can be elevated up to 0.506 Wm-1K-1. Furthermore, the phase change enthalpies of PCCs can be facilely tailored from 3.74 J/g to 18.52 J/g by changing the loading fraction of microcapsule, enabling adjustable thermal energy storage and thermal management ability. PCCs are proved to possess outstanding long-term stability even after 500 cycles of charging-discharging. Besides, practical application of PCCs as thermal regulating materials is explored through a self-designed temperature control system. Finally, the PCCs exhibit good leakage proof property at 100 °C due to the shielding effect of SiO2 shell. These results show that this work offers a promising strategy for the development of advanced form-stable PCCs with good comprehensive properties. •Form-stable PCCs are developed based on a core-shell structural microcapsule and surface-modified boron nitride.•The PCCs possess high thermal conductivity up to 0.506 Wm-1K-1.•The phase change enthalpy can be easily tailored from 3.74 J/g to 18.52 J/g.•The PCCs are proved to have efficient thermal management ability in practical application.