Thermal Regulating Nanofibers Composite from Polyethylene Glycol, Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

 Today, the use of modern methods for producing clean and renewable energy such as thermal energy is more requested. One of the most important methods for storing thermal energy is phase change materials (PCMs), which are used as clean and renewable materials in thermal regulating fibres for smart textiles. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a solid-liquid phase change material, with proper properties, needs to be encapsulated. A single-phase combination electrospinning composed of matrix polymer and PCM is a method of encapsulation. On the other hand, adding metal oxide can increase the thermal conductivity of the phase change materials. This research was conducted with the aim of producing thermal regulating nanofibers from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and PEG polymers with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2).

TiO2 nanoparticles were added to an optimal combination solution containing PVA and PEG and the resultant solution was electrospun by a single-phase method and its thermal regulating performance was investigated. For this purpose, DSC, DTG, and also FT-IR and XRD tests were used and FE-SEM, EDS and mapping images were obtained from the nanofibers.

Based on the results of DSC test, the enthalpy of melting and crystallization of the produced nanofibers were higher than those of pure PEG powder. Also, according to FE-SEM, EDS and mapping images, the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the mentioned nanofibres was confirmed. Based on the DTG test, the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles and PVA increased the degradation temperature of PEG in nanofibers compared to PEG powder. The FTIR spectrum showed the presence of polymers and TiO2 nanoparticles. The XRD pattern showed a crystalline structure for nanofibres. According to the results, the prepared nanofibres can be used as a form-stable thermo-regulating material in various applications.