Crystallization induced realignment of carbon fibers in a phase change material to achieve exceptional thermal transportation properties

Considering the significant threat of heat to electronic equipment and heat dissipation problems existing in powerful systems, thermal management materials are in high demand. In conjunction with the increasing need to dissipate heat and stabilize temperature, high thermal conductivity and phase change latent heat are attracting more attention when designing thermal management materials. This work proposes a strategy to combine a phase change matrix and thermally conductive filler using freeze casting. The highest thermal conductivity reaches 23.1 W m −1 K −1 accompanied by 62 J g −1 phase change latent heat. Meanwhile, replacing ice with an organic phase change material in freeze casting can result in an aligned structure. This discovery will pave a novel way for introducing thermal latent heat without abandoning the aligned structure. A thermal conductive shape-stable phase change composite is prepared using carbon fiber and a phase changing matrix which stabilizes temperature and assists the alignment of the filler.