Polysaccharide–protein complex-stabilized Pickering phase change material emulsions for low-temperature thermal energy storage

Yu, Tingting ; Qiu, Xiaolin ; Delgado, Mónica (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lázaro, Ana (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Hu, Yang

Resumen: Low-temperature phase change material emulsions (PCMEs) are excellent thermal storage media but have environmental and toxicity issues due to poorly degradable synthetic surfactants; single-component biopolymer systems lack stability, low-temperature Pickering emulsion research is scarce, protein-polysaccharide composite stabilizers in PCMEs are unreported, and Boron Nitride (BN) -biopolymer synergistic effects on supercooling remain unexplored. This study aims to develop an environmentally friendly, high-performance, low-temperature Pickering phase change material emulsion to simultaneously optimize stability, environmental compatibility, and thermal performance. This study proposes substituting traditional emulsifiers with self-assembled sodium caseinate (SC)-xanthan gum (XG) nanocomposites. Phase change emulsions were prepared by high-speed homogenization, and boron nitride was added to synergistically reduce supercooling and improve heat transfer. The SC–XG complexes adsorb at n-tetradecane/water interfaces, forming a viscoelastic interfacial network that enhances droplet stability and restricts coalescence. Thermal analysis revealed that, at 0.5% (w/v) XG, the 50 vol% n-tetradecane PCME droplets are uniform and kinetically stable, delivering a latent heat of 89.5 J g− 1. Adding only 0.75 wt% BN induces heterogeneous nucleation, cuts supercooling from 7.8 ◦C to 0.24 ◦C, and boosts thermal conductivity. This study proposes a novel protein-polysaccharide-based technical pathway for constructing green and sustainable low-temperature thermal storage materials, while also synergistically regulating the crystallization behavior and heat transfer performance of the emulsion through BN. This study provides both a theoretical foundation and a green technical solution for designing stable and efficient phase change material emulsions for thermal energy storage.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.150706

Año: 2026

Publicado en: International journal of biological macromolecules 347 (2026), 150706 [17 pp.]
ISSN: 0141-8130

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2023-148958OB-C21
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/RYC2023-044207-I
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T55-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/MICINN/TED2021-131061B–C31

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Máquinas y Motores Térmi. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)