Synergistic Action of Polyethylene Glycol/Expanded Graphite/Cellulose Nanofibers With Superior Infrared Stealth Performance

Abstract

A series of high comprehensive performance composite phase-change materials (PCMs) were designed and prepared by a physical blending and evaporation method. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were introduced as supporting materials to keep the shape of polyethylene glycol (PEG) stable during the phase-change process, and expanded graphite (EG) was used to synergize with the PEG to enhance the infrared thermal stealth performance. The comprehensive performance and structure–property relationships of the composite PCMs were investigated by means of various characterization techniques. The CNF30/PEG69/EG1 composite exhibited the best comprehensive performance: a high PEG melting enthalpy of 144.3 J/g due to a high crystallinity of the PEG, good thermal stability, a shape stabilization effect and superior IR attenuation performance. The EG was proved to be an effective supporting material which contributed to the enhancement of the crystallinity of PEG, and played an important role as a nucleating agent in the crystallization process of the PEG. The synergistic effect of PEG and the small amount of EG gave the composites excellent infrared stealth performance.

Keywords:

• expanded graphite
• high-performance composites
• infrared stealth
• phase-change materials

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China [51703137], the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [2015SCU11008], and the Equipment Pre-Research Fund [JZX7Y20190262061301] for financial support.