Volume 11 Issue 5
Oct.  2026
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents
Qin Qin, Bin He, Gaigai Duan, Weijun Li, Xiaoshuai Han, Mei Li, Shuijian He, Shaohua Jiang. Dual-scale encapsulation via Pickering emulsion microencapsulation in nanocellulose aerogel for thermal energy storage[J]. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2026, 11(5): 100278. doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2026.100278
Citation: Qin Qin, Bin He, Gaigai Duan, Weijun Li, Xiaoshuai Han, Mei Li, Shuijian He, Shaohua Jiang. Dual-scale encapsulation via Pickering emulsion microencapsulation in nanocellulose aerogel for thermal energy storage[J]. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2026, 11(5): 100278. doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2026.100278

Dual-scale encapsulation via Pickering emulsion microencapsulation in nanocellulose aerogel for thermal energy storage

doi: 10.1016/j.jobab.2026.100278
Funds:

This research was funded by Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu (No. KYCX25_1425) and Open Fund of Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications (No. GXPSMM25-3).

  • Received Date: 2026-02-15
  • Accepted Date: 2026-06-11
  • Rev Recd Date: 2026-06-05
  • Available Online: 2026-11-03
  • Publish Date: 2026-06-22
  • This study reports a dual-scale encapsulation strategy using nanocellulose (CNF) to create high-performance, leakage-proof composite phase change materials. Bio-derived palmitic acid (PA) and lauric acid (LA) serve as the phase change materials and CNF acts as a green emulsifier. Pickering emulsion technology is employed to encapsulate them into microcapsules. These microcapsules are further embedded into an CNF aerogel skeleton via directional freeze-drying, resulting in a composite phase change material (PA/CNF) with a dual microcapsule-aerogel coating structure. Even with a high PA loading of 88.9% (w), the composite exhibits excellent shape stability and leakage resistance. After heating at 80 ℃ for 120 min, its leakage rate is only 0.03%. Its latent heat reaches 183 J/g, along with good thermal cycling stability and reversibility. Moreover, the material demonstrates remarkable thermal buffering and regulation capabilities, indicating great potential for thermal management applications. This work provides a novel and scalable green approach for developing high-performance composite phase change materials.

     

  • loading
  • [1]
    Cao, M.Y., Zhu, J.Q., Miao, G.H., Sha, J., Li, D.Q., Li, J., Wang, C., Li, C.H., Zhang, J.K., Xu, Y.L., Chen, S., Xu, F., 2025. Ambient-dried nanocellulose composite aerogels for enhanced hydrovoltaic electricity generation. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2418823.
    [2]
    Chen, X., Gao, H.Y., Tang, Z.D., Dong, W.J., Li, A., Wang, G., 2020. Optimization strategies of composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage, transfer, conversion and utilization. Energy Environ. Sci. 13, 4498-4535.
    [3]
    Chen, Y.H., Meng, Y., Zhang, J.Y., Xie, Y.H., Guo, H., He, M.K., Shi, X.T., Mei, Y., Sheng, X.X., Xie, D.L., 2024. Leakage proof, flame-retardant, and electromagnetic shield wood morphology genetic composite phase change materials for solar thermal energy harvesting. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 196.
    [4]
    Chen, Y.M., Li, S.J., Li, X.L., Mei, C.T., Zheng, J.J., Shiju, S.J., Duan, G.G., Liu, K.M., Jiang, S.H., 2021. Liquid transport and real-time dye purification via lotus petiole-inspired long-range-ordered anisotropic cellulose nanofibril aerogels. ACS Nano 15, 20666-20677.
    [5]
    Cheng, C., Hu, L.Q., Seidu, R.K., Xu, J.T., Jiang, S.X., 2025. Development of phase change materials directly encapsulated within gold shell microcapsules for flexible intelligent textile with energy storage and photo-thermal conversion ability. Nano Energy 143, 111295.
    [6]
    Deng, P.P., Liu, X.P., Zhang, T., Li, Y.W., Wu, K., Chen, K., Kuang, Y., Chen, J.J., Jiang, F.T., 2025. Konjac glucomannan-based foams incorporating cellulose phase change microcapsules for efficient thermal energy regulation. Carbohydr. Polym. 352, 123191.
    [7]
    Feng, D.L., Zhao, Z.H., Li, P., Li, Y.P., Zha, J., Hu, J.K., Zhang, Y.Y., Feng, Y.H., 2024. Multifunctional performance of carbon nanotubes in thermal energy storage materials. Mater. Today 75, 285-308.
    [8]
    Gao, Y., Chen, X., Jin, X., Zhang, C.J., Zhang, X., Liu, X.D., Li, Y.H., Li, Y., Lin, J.J., Gao, H.Y., Wang, G., 2024. Multifunction integration within magnetic CNT-bridged MXene/CoNi based phase change materials. EScience 4, 100292.
    [9]
    Gong, S., Li, X.L., Sheng, M.J., Liu, S., Zheng, Y.F., Wu, H., Lu, X., Qu, J.P., 2021. High thermal conductivity and mechanical strength phase change composite with double supporting skeletons for industrial waste heat recovery. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 13, 47174-47184.
    [10]
    Gu, B., Li, G., Zhang, Q., Pan, H.D., Duan, M.F., Weng, L.Q., Zhao, D.L., 2025. A novel method for increasing phase-change microcapsules in nanofiber textile through electrospinning. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2412089.
    [11]
    Guo, Y.H., Hou, T., Wang, J., Yan, Y.Y., Li, W.H., Ren, Y., Yan, S., 2024. Phase change materials meet microfluidic encapsulation. Adv. Sci. 11, 2304580.
    [12]
    Hu, Y., Zhang, M.Y., Quan, B.Q., Li, X.L., Hu, X.P., Wu, H., Huang, X.R., Lu, X., Qu, J.P., 2024. Polyethylene glycol infiltrated biomass-derived porous carbon phase change composites for efficient thermal energy storage. Adv. Compos. Hybrid Mater. 7, 68.
    [13]
    Hou, D., Allan, L., Awad, H., Bahiraei, F., Evins, R., 2025. Estimating the time constant using smart thermostat data acquisition and manipulation: a whole building experimental study. J. Build. Eng. 105, 112485.
    [14]
    Huo, Y.J., Yan, T., Wu, S.F., Kuai, Z.H., Pan, W.G., 2024. Preparation and thermal properties of palmitic acid/copper foam phase change materials. Energy 293, 130629.
    [15]
    Kaffashsaie, E., Yousefi, H., Nishino, T., Matsumoto, T., Mashkour, M., Madhoushi, M., Kawaguchi, H., 2021. Direct conversion of raw wood to TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers. Carbohydr. Polym. 262, 117938.
    [16]
    Kalidasan, B., Pandey, A.K., 2025. Next generation phase change materials: state-of-the-art towards sustainable future. Prog. Mater. Sci. 148, 101380.
    [17]
    Lee, J., Han, H., Noh, D., Lee, J., Lim, D.D., Park, J., Gu, G.X., Choi, W., 2024. Multiscale porous architecture consisting of graphene aerogels and metastructures enabling robust thermal and mechanical functionalities of phase change materials. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2405625.
    [18]
    Lee, M., Dahlhauser, S.D., Lucci, C., Donohoe, B.S., Allen, R.D., Rorrer, N.A., 2025. Shape-stabilization of phase change materials with carbon-conscious poly(hydroxy)urethane foams. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2421039.
    [19]
    Li, G.Y., Hong, G., Dong, D.P., Song, W.H., Zhang, X.T., 2018. Multiresponsive graphene-aerogel-directed phase-change smart fibers. Adv. Mater. 30, 1801754.
    [20]
    Li, H.Y., Hu, C.Z., He, Y.C., Sun, Z.H., Yin, Z.Y., Tang, D.W., 2022a. Emerging surface strategies for porous materials-based phase change composites. Matter 5, 3225-3259.
    [21]
    Li, J., Chen, R.J., Luo, Y., Shi, J.M., Sheng, X.X., Xie, Y.H., Wu, H., Xie, D.L., Mei, Y., 2022. SWCNT-encapsulated phosphorus-grafted stearyl alcohol as a flame-retardant phase-change material with superior thermal properties. ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 5, 1869-1882.
    [22]
    Li, M., Ji, X., Sun, M., Yang, H., Wang, C., 2026. Polydopamine-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes for cellulose-based aerogels in seawater desalination. J. For. Eng. 11, 108-115.
    [23]
    Li, Y.Y., Yu, S., Chen, P., Rojas, R., Hajian, A., Berglund, L., 2017. Cellulose nanofibers enable paraffin encapsulation and the formation of stable thermal regulation nanocomposites. Nano Energy 34, 541-548.
    [24]
    Li, Z.C., Cao, F., Zhang, Y.A., Zhang, S.F., Tang, B.T., 2025. Enhancing thermal protection in lithium batteries with power bank-inspired multi-network aerogel and thermally induced flexible composite phase change material. Nano-Micro Lett. 17, 166.
    [25]
    Lin, J.Y., Liu, D.W., Liu, X.H., Liu, M.Y., Cui, Y.Y., 2025. CNT@MXene porous composite PCM based thermal management for lithium-ion battery system. Appl. Therm. Eng. 262, 125240.
    [26]
    Liu, J.K., Zhu, X.B., Dai, J.Y., Yang, K.R., Wang, S.P., Liu, X.Q., 2025a. Integration of sustainable polymers with phase change materials. Prog. Mater. Sci. 151, 101447.
    [27]
    Liu, M.Y., Qiao, J.X., Zhang, X.G., Guo, Z.J., Liu, X.J., Lin, F.K., Yang, M.Y., Fan, J.H., Wu, X.W., Huang, Z.H., 2025b. Flame retardant strategies and applications of organic phase change materials: a review. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2412492.
    [28]
    Liu, Y.S., Cao, X.X., Yang, M.F., Wei, M., Mao, J.Y., Sun, J.J., Xiang, H.Z., Wang, H.H., 2025c. Flame-retardant wood-based composite phase change materials based on polydopamine functionalized carbon dots for efficient solar-to-thermal energy storage. Adv. Compos. Hybrid Mater. 8, 400.
    [29]
    Qin, H.F., Zhang, Y.F., Jiang, J.G., Wang, L.L., Song, M.Y., Bi, R., Zhu, P.H., Jiang, F., 2021. Multifunctional superelastic cellulose nanofibrils aerogel by dual ice-templating assembly. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2106269.
    [30]
    Shen, J.F., Ma, Y.Q., Zhou, F., Sheng, X.X., Chen, Y., 2024. Thermophysical properties investigation of phase change microcapsules with low supercooling and high energy storage capability: potential for efficient solar energy thermal management. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 191, 199-208.
    [31]
    Shi, T., Gao, X., Liu, H., Wang, X.D., 2025. Multi-energy conversion and electromagnetic shielding enabled by carbonized polyimide/kevlar/graphene Oxide@ZIF-67 bidirectional complex aerogel-encapsulated phase-change materials. Nano-Micro Lett. 17, 236.
    [32]
    Shuang, J.Y., Qin, M.L., Jia, M.H., Shen, Z.H., Wang, Y.G., Zou, R.Q., 2025. Colossal barocaloric effect in encapsulated solid-liquid phase change materials. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2413924.
    [33]
    Song, H.H., Tang, Z.C., Huang, Z.J., Wang, Q., Sun, D.X., Yang, J.H., Qi, X.D., Wang, Y., 2026. Thermal-buffering phase change microcapsules embedded into MXene aerogels toward synchronous infrared stealth and electromagnetic shielding. Compos. Part B Eng. 315, 113483.
    [34]
    Tang, Y.L., Zhao, X.G., Li, Y.H., Yang, Z.H., Zuo, X.C., Tang, A.D., Yang, H.M., 2024. Nanoclay hybridized graphene aerogels encapsulating phase change material for efficient solar-driven desalination and electricity generation. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2408693.
    [35]
    Tong, J., Liu, Z.M., Liu, Y., Huang, X.B., Wang, G., 2025. “Back-to-back” radial layered skeleton converging heat flow to assist in thermal conduction of aramid nanofibers/graphene phase change composite materials. Adv. Funct. Mater. 35, 2411744.
    [36]
    Wang, G., Tang, Z.D., Gao, Y., Liu, P.P., Li, Y., Li, A., Chen, X., 2023. Phase change thermal storage materials for interdisciplinary applications. Chem. Rev. 123, 6953-7024.
    [37]
    Wang, K., Yan, T., Zhao, Y.M., Li, G.D., Pan, W.G., 2022. Preparation and thermal properties of palmitic acid @ZnO/expanded graphite composite phase change material for heat storage. Energy 242, 122972.
    [38]
    Weng, K.Y., Xu, X.Y., Chen, Y.Y., Li, X.L., Qing, C.Y., Zou, D.Q., 2024. Development and applications of multifunctional microencapsulated PCMs: a comprehensive review. Nano Energy 122, 109308.
    [39]
    Wu, S.F., Yan, T., Kuai, Z.H., Pan, W.G., 2020. Thermal conductivity enhancement on phase change materials for thermal energy storage: a review. Energy Storage Mater. 25, 251-295.
    [40]
    Wu, Z., Chang, Y., 2025. Research and application of microcapsule technology in the wood industry. J. For. Eng. 10, 1-12.
    [41]
    Xing, J.C., Yang, K.Y., Zhou, Y.C., Yu, Y.X., Chang, J.M., Cai, L.P., Sheldon, S.Q., 2020. Form-stable phase change material based on fatty acid/wood flour composite and PVC used for thermal energy storage. Energy Build. 209, 109663.
    [42]
    Yan, B., Li, M., Lu, H.L., Pi, M.H., Mu, J.H., Cui, W., Ran, R., 2024. Composite aerogel incorporating low temperature phase change microcapsules for enhanced thermal insulation. Chem. Eng. J. 481, 148540.
    [43]
    Yang, K., Duan, C., Wen, Y.J., Tian, G.D., Ma, R.T., Liu, X.S., Bie, Y.C., 2025. Hierarchically porous coaxial wet-spun cellulose/polyurethane based hexamethylene diisocyanate (PUH) solid-solid phase change fiber for enhanced thermal management. J. Bioresour. Bioprod. 10, 648-659.
    [44]
    Zheng, Y., Oguzlu, H., Baldelli, A., Zhu, Y.L., Song, M.Y., Pratap-Singh, A., Jiang, F., 2022a. Sprayable cellulose nanofibrils stabilized phase change material Pickering emulsion for spray coating application. Carbohydr. Polym. 291, 119583.
    [45]
    Zheng, Y., Zhu, Y.L., Yu, Z.Y., Zhu, J.Y., Zhang, Y.F., Ye, Y.H., Zheng, D.Y., Jiang, F., 2022b. Passive thermal regulation with 3D printed phase change material/cellulose nanofibrils composites. Compos. Part B Eng. 247, 110332.
    [46]
    Zhu, C.B., Hao, Y.R., Wu, H., Chen, M.N., Quan, B.Q., Liu, S., Hu, X.P., Liu, S.L., Ji, Q.H., Lu, X., Qu, J.P., 2024. Self-assembly of binderless MXene aerogel for multiple-scenario and responsive phase change composites with ultrahigh thermal energy storage density and exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding. Nano-Micro Lett. 16, 57.
    [47]
    Zhu, J.P., Lu, Y.H., Xia, Y.M., He, Q., 2025. Cellulose nanofibrils-stabilized legume protein-based Pickering emulsions for capsaicin delivery: fabrication, characterization, and encapsulation mechanism exploration. J. Bioresour. Bioprod. 10, 560-575.
  • 加载中

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索

    Article Metrics

    Article views (14) PDF downloads(2) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return