Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion

Hossein Baniasadi; Sedigheh Borandeh; Ziba Fathi; Roozbeh Abidnejad; Pedro E. S. Silva; Lauri Välinen; Jaana Vapaavuori; Eero Kontturi; Jukka Niskanen

doi:10.1002/smsc.202500600

Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion

Hossein Baniasadi^*
, Sedigheh Borandeh
, Ziba Fathi
, Roozbeh Abidnejad
, Pedro E. S. Silva
, Lauri Välinen
, Jaana Vapaavuori
, Eero Kontturi
, Jukka Niskanen

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Efficient solar–thermal energy conversion and storage demand materials that combine high latent heat with multifunctional performance were observed. Here, we report electrospun polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats capable of simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion. Among a series of PCMs, PPCM1218 (from 1,12-dodecanediol and octadecanedioic acid) showed the highest latent heat (157 J/g, melting point 90.6°C) and was incorporated into flexible, bead-free mats via blending with polyamide 11 to prevent leakage. Mats with high PCM loading retained up to 132 J/g enthalpy while maintaining mechanical integrity. Functionalization with biochar, graphene, or polypyrrole (PPy) enhanced stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity, with PPy-coated mats achieving 0.51 W/m·K and 18.5 S/m. Under 1.5 sun irradiation, surfaces exceeded 90°C, fully melting the PCM and demonstrating stable energy storage and release over 100 thermal and photothermal cycles. This approach offers a versatile platform for multifunctional electrospun mats suitable for high-temperature energy storage, solar-driven water purification, and thermal management applications.

Original language	English
Article number	e202500600
Number of pages	16
Journal	Small Science
Volume	6
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.202500600
Publication status	Published - Apr 2026
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

The authors acknowledge funding from the Research Council of Finland (3D-GRINO-PPCI). The authors acknowledge funding from Business Finland Strategic Centres for Science, Technology, and Innovation (IMD1/Kontturi). R.A. acknowledges funding from Puunjalostusinsinöörit ry. This work made use of Aalto University Bioeconomy Facilities and OtaNano, Nanomicroscopy Center (Aalto-NMC).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

electrospun mats
multifunctional materials
phase change materials
photothermal conversion
thermal energy storage

Access to Document

10.1002/smsc.202500600Licence: CC BY

Multifunctional_Electrospun_Phase_Change_Material_Mats_for_Solar–Thermal_Energy_Storage_and_Photothermal_ConversionFinal published version, 2.85 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{8316354236ca44d1b8889687ea948d6b,

title = "Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion",

abstract = "Efficient solar–thermal energy conversion and storage demand materials that combine high latent heat with multifunctional performance were observed. Here, we report electrospun polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats capable of simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion. Among a series of PCMs, PPCM1218 (from 1,12-dodecanediol and octadecanedioic acid) showed the highest latent heat (157 J/g, melting point 90.6°C) and was incorporated into flexible, bead-free mats via blending with polyamide 11 to prevent leakage. Mats with high PCM loading retained up to 132 J/g enthalpy while maintaining mechanical integrity. Functionalization with biochar, graphene, or polypyrrole (PPy) enhanced stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity, with PPy-coated mats achieving 0.51 W/m·K and 18.5 S/m. Under 1.5 sun irradiation, surfaces exceeded 90°C, fully melting the PCM and demonstrating stable energy storage and release over 100 thermal and photothermal cycles. This approach offers a versatile platform for multifunctional electrospun mats suitable for high-temperature energy storage, solar-driven water purification, and thermal management applications.",

keywords = "electrospun mats, multifunctional materials, phase change materials, photothermal conversion, thermal energy storage",

author = "Hossein Baniasadi and Sedigheh Borandeh and Ziba Fathi and Roozbeh Abidnejad and Silva, \{Pedro E. S.\} and Lauri V{\"a}linen and Jaana Vapaavuori and Eero Kontturi and Jukka Niskanen",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

doi = "10.1002/smsc.202500600",

language = "English",

volume = "6",

journal = "Small Science",

issn = "2688-4046",

publisher = "Wiley",

number = "4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion

AU - Baniasadi, Hossein

AU - Borandeh, Sedigheh

AU - Fathi, Ziba

AU - Abidnejad, Roozbeh

AU - Silva, Pedro E. S.

AU - Välinen, Lauri

AU - Vapaavuori, Jaana

AU - Kontturi, Eero

AU - Niskanen, Jukka

PY - 2026/4

Y1 - 2026/4

N2 - Efficient solar–thermal energy conversion and storage demand materials that combine high latent heat with multifunctional performance were observed. Here, we report electrospun polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats capable of simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion. Among a series of PCMs, PPCM1218 (from 1,12-dodecanediol and octadecanedioic acid) showed the highest latent heat (157 J/g, melting point 90.6°C) and was incorporated into flexible, bead-free mats via blending with polyamide 11 to prevent leakage. Mats with high PCM loading retained up to 132 J/g enthalpy while maintaining mechanical integrity. Functionalization with biochar, graphene, or polypyrrole (PPy) enhanced stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity, with PPy-coated mats achieving 0.51 W/m·K and 18.5 S/m. Under 1.5 sun irradiation, surfaces exceeded 90°C, fully melting the PCM and demonstrating stable energy storage and release over 100 thermal and photothermal cycles. This approach offers a versatile platform for multifunctional electrospun mats suitable for high-temperature energy storage, solar-driven water purification, and thermal management applications.

AB - Efficient solar–thermal energy conversion and storage demand materials that combine high latent heat with multifunctional performance were observed. Here, we report electrospun polyester-based phase change material (PCM) mats capable of simultaneous thermal energy storage and photothermal conversion. Among a series of PCMs, PPCM1218 (from 1,12-dodecanediol and octadecanedioic acid) showed the highest latent heat (157 J/g, melting point 90.6°C) and was incorporated into flexible, bead-free mats via blending with polyamide 11 to prevent leakage. Mats with high PCM loading retained up to 132 J/g enthalpy while maintaining mechanical integrity. Functionalization with biochar, graphene, or polypyrrole (PPy) enhanced stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity, with PPy-coated mats achieving 0.51 W/m·K and 18.5 S/m. Under 1.5 sun irradiation, surfaces exceeded 90°C, fully melting the PCM and demonstrating stable energy storage and release over 100 thermal and photothermal cycles. This approach offers a versatile platform for multifunctional electrospun mats suitable for high-temperature energy storage, solar-driven water purification, and thermal management applications.

KW - electrospun mats

KW - multifunctional materials

KW - phase change materials

KW - photothermal conversion

KW - thermal energy storage

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105035893813

U2 - 10.1002/smsc.202500600

DO - 10.1002/smsc.202500600

M3 - Article

SN - 2688-4046

VL - 6

JO - Small Science

JF - Small Science

IS - 4

M1 - e202500600

ER -

Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

3D-GRINO-PPCI: 3D Graded Index Optics Printed using Photocurable Inks

-: 3D-GRINO-PPCI / POTE

IMD1/Kontturi: Intelligent Medical Device Solutions to Global Market

Bioeconomy Research Infrastructure

OtaNano

OtaNano - Nanomicroscopy Center

Cite this

Multifunctional Electrospun Phase Change Material Mats for Solar–Thermal Energy Storage and Photothermal Conversion

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

3D-GRINO-PPCI: 3D Graded Index Optics Printed using Photocurable Inks

-: 3D-GRINO-PPCI / POTE

IMD1/Kontturi: Intelligent Medical Device Solutions to Global Market

Equipment

Bioeconomy Research Infrastructure

OtaNano

OtaNano - Nanomicroscopy Center

Cite this