Novel pyrene-based aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) composite phase change fibers with satisfactory fluorescence anti-counterfeiting, temperature sensing, and high-temperature warning functions for solar-thermal energy storage
Advanced multifunctional composite materials have been a significant force in the advancement of efficient solar-thermal energy conversion and storage, which is critical to address current energy shortage problems. In this study, novel phase change material (PCM) composite fiber films, composed of Py-CH (one novel pyrene-based aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen))/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/polyethylene glycol (PEG), have been produced by electrospinning technology with PEG as the phase change material. The combination of AIE and twist intermolecular charge transfer (TICT) characteristics of Py-CH together with the water absorption performance of PVP afforded a temperature-dependent fluorescence change. On increasing the temperature from 30 to 160 °C, the APP (pyrene-based AIEgen/PVP/PEG) composites exhibit a blue-shifted emission with a color changed from green-yellow to cyan, from cyan to blue, and finally, to purple. Furthermore, the entanglement of the macromolecular chains and distinctive porous structure between PVP and PEG played a significant role in preventing the leakage and transfer issues of PEG. Therefore, the composite fiber films with a PEG content of 60% exhibited latent heat in the range of 79~89 J/g and were extremely stable for up to 100 heating-cooling cycles. As a result, the application of these APP composites could be further promoted to solar energy conversation and storage, high-temperature warning, and anti-counterfeiting applications. Hence, composite materials containing the pyrene-based AIEgen and phase change materials have opened up new avenues for the possible application of such materials in thermal energy storage. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
Citation
Huang, J., Liu, Y., Lin, J., Su, J., Redshaw, C., Feng, X., & Min, Y. (2023). Novel pyrene-based aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) composite phase change fibers with satisfactory fluorescence anti-counterfeiting, temperature sensing, and high-temperature warning functions for solar-thermal energy storage. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 6(4), Article 126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-023-00706-4
