Thermally conductive enhanced flexible composite phase change materials for thermal management

There has been significant interest in phase change material (PCM) for its ability to effectively address the mismatch between thermal energy supply and demand. Despite this, there are currently no systematic studies addressing the crystalline rigidity issues inherent to PCM and whether prolonged exposure to cold environments prolongs the preheating time of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. In this study, we developed a novel thermally conductive enhanced thermal-responsive PCM and applied it to the battery thermal management system (BTMS). The prepared CPCM exhibits excellent shape stability, appropriate thermal conductivity, and thermal responsiveness. The composite material demonstrates remarkable thermal insulation performance in the BTMS at low temperatures. Even in cold ambient temperatures, the CPCM can insulate lithium-ion batteries for over 25 min, and the required cold start-up time is comparable to that of Li-ion batteries without encapsulated PCM, providing significant advantages for the functioning of batteries in low-temperature environments.