Nano-hybridized form-stable ester@F-SiO2 phase change materials for melt-spun PA6 fibers engineered towards smart thermal management fabrics

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted considerable attention due to their superior function for energy storage and temperature regulation and its promising applications in fibers. However, PCMs prepared by conventional strategies always suffer a poor heat resistance, making them infeasible for melt-spun fibers. We present here a nano-hybridized form-stable phase change materials (FSPCMs) via a molecular chain structural selection strategy and nano-hybridization technique; featuring with high heat resistant and hydrophobicity, such FSPCMs can be applied for the melt spinning of polyamide 6 (PA6)-based phase change fibers (PCFs). The organic-inorganic nano-hybridized FSPCMs presents a transformation from solid-liquid phase transition to solid-solid phase transition with improved thermal response rates. And, an optimized FSPCM not only preserves a high enthalpy (137 J/g) and heat resistance temperature (up to 328.5 °C) but also display a superior phase change stability after simulated thermal cycling over 200 times; meanwhile, it can efficiently delay its micro-environmental temperature change for up to 1182 s with an outstanding energy storage and temperature regulation function. More importantly, incorporating FSPCMs into the melt-spun PA6, the resultant PCFs also demonstrate a smart regulation on its micro-environmental temperature for 786 s with an enthalpy of 9.44 J/g. In addition, the functions of such PCFs also present a good washing durability; which can withstand a practical washing for 1 h at different temperatures (0 °C, 25 °C, and 90 °C).