Nanofibers for Renewable Energy

Abstract

Electrospinning is a straightforward technique for the fabrication of nanofibers with the potential for various applications. Thermal energy storage systems using electrospun nanofibers have gained researchers’ attention due to its desirable properties such as nanoscale diameter, large surface area, excellent thermal conductivity, and high loading and thermal energy storage capacity. The encapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) in electrospun nanofibers for storing renewable thermal energy can be achieved by uniaxial electrospinning of a blend of PCM and polymer, coaxial electrospinning of a PCM core and a polymer sheath, or post-electrospinning absorption. The PCM content and thermal energy storage capacity of different PCM composite nanofibers are compared in this chapter. The drawbacks of traditional electrospinning PCM encapsulation techniques and benefits of post-electrospinning encapsulation methods are discussed.