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ToolsLandini, Stefano, Lascelles, Elliot, Panter, Jack and Navarro, Helena (2026) PEG-Based Hybrid Cellulose-Metal Foam Composites for Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and Structural Stability. In: Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer (MHMT 2026). Avestia, Paris.
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Phase change materials (PCMs) provide an effective means for thermal energy storage by utilising latent heat during phase transitions, supporting diverse applications such as building thermal regulation, electronics cooling, and solar energy storage [1]. Among organic PCMs, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is notable for its substantial latent heat and phase transition temperature adjustment through molecular weight selection, thereby permitting application-specific composite platforms. However, the widespread adoption of organic PCMs is hindered by challenges including poor shape stability during melting, low thermal conductivity, and inadequate mechanical strength. Traditional approaches to address these limitations included encapsulation strategies and metal foam incorporation. Whilst encapsulation provides containment for liquid PCMs, it suffers from capsule rupture due to volumetric expansion during phase change and thermal barriers that hinder heat transfer [2]. Metal foam incorporation has shown promise for enhancing thermal conductivity and providing structural support, yet these systems are expensive, require significant void space, and can experience leakages. Conversely, tighter foam structures restrict PCM mobility which can limit transitional enthalpy. This work presents a novel hybrid composite system that integrates carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibres (CMC) with open-cell aluminium metal foams to achieve shape-stabilised, thermally enhanced PEG-based PCM. The central objective is to reduce the required metal foam, thereby lowering material cost, weight and composite density, while preserving mechanical robustness and thermal conductivity. The CMC, prepared via water-based processing, forms a continuous, solid stabilising matrix that immobilises PEG; however, unsupported PEG:CMC composites at low non-PCM mass fractions (e.g. 85:15 ratio) exhibit substantial leakage, with mass losses up to 31% after 100 thermal cycles. The incorporation of this matrix into optimised metal foam architectures is anticipated to maintain the same limited non-PCM content while leveraging the physical confinement and reinforcement provided by the metallic scaffold, thereby substantially reducing leakage and enhancing shape stability during repeated phase transitions. A comparative study of two PEG:CMC ratios (80:20, 85:15) across six distinct aluminium foams, varying in pore-per-inch (PPI) and relative density, enables systematic evaluation of the trade-offs between PCM loading, latent heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical reinforcement. Lower PPI, lower-density foams are anticipated to maximise PCM loading and energy storage with a reduction in mechanical and conductive enhancements, while higher PPI and higher-density foams are expected to provide superior mechanical support and thermal conduction, at the expense of stored enthalpy and increased cost. Key performance metrics, including thermal conductivity, enthalpy retention, and shape stability (mass loss, compression testing), will be rigorously assessed. The novelty of this approach lies in the use of a renewable, carboxymethylated cellulose matrix in synergy with metallic foams, providing a recyclable, non-toxic composite that circumvents the need for non-recyclable binders or toxic additives. Unlike previous studies that have evaluated cellulose-derived or metal foam stabilisation independently, this work combines both strategies, delivering enhanced thermal management and mechanical integrity with reduced reliance on costly metallic scaffolds. The resulting materials offer tuneable thermal and mechanical properties suitable for several energy storage applications, from building-integrated thermal regulation to advanced electronics cooling, thus advancing the development of high-performance, sustainable phase change composites.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | energy(all),mechanical engineering,sdg 7 - affordable and clean energy ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2100 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics Faculty of Science |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Sustainable Energy Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Fluids & Structures |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Apr 2026 15:30 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Apr 2026 15:30 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102752 |
| DOI: |
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