Magnetically assembled flexible phase change composites with vertically aligned structures for thermal management and electromagnetic interference shielding

Phase change material (PCM) is promising in achieving zero-energy thermal management because of its prominent thermal storage capacity and steady phase-change temperature. However, low intrinsic thermal conductivity (TC), liquid leak, and solid rigidity are long-standing bottlenecks for heat-related applications. Here, we report an innovative dual-encapsulation strategy to develop multifunctional phase change composite (FMP) with vertically aligned NdFeB@Ag arrays and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) crosslinked network in paraffin (PA). The NdFeB@Ag arrays induced by magnetic-field driven procedure can offer the consecutive/oriented highways for efficient heat-transfer, and an electric/magnetic heterostructure for electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE). The flexible SEPS block copolymer not only ensures the high flexibility of PCM, but also combines with oriented NdFeB@Ag arrays for dual encapsulating PA. This multifunctional FMP can achieve high TC of 2.59 W m−1 K−1, attractive EMI SE of 35.42 dB, prominent enthalpy density of 120 J g−1, and impressive Joule heating performance, together with leakage-proof, dynamic assembly, and salient charging/discharging durability. Furthermore, the FMP-supported device is demonstrated for thermal energy harvesting and utilization. This dual-encapsulation design opens a new avenue for exploiting multifunctional PCMs for thermal management, anti-EM radiation, and low-grade exhaust heat utilization.