Encapsulation of lauric acid in reduced graphene-N-doped porous carbon supporting scaffold for multi-functional phase change composites

Phase change materials (PCMs) play a critical role in heat-related managements, however, are usually insulating and insensitive to temperature gradient which are not capable of providing sustainable thermal energy and restrict the real applications. Herein, a novel electric/photo to thermal response reduced graphene@N-doped porous carbon (RGO@PC) supporting scaffold is developed for encapsulating lauric acid (LA). Three-dimensional reduced graphene provides continuous pathways for electron transfer which ensures a rapid electro- and photo-to thermal response. Furthermore, N-doped porous carbon provides electron to the π-conjugated system and reduces the electric conductivity of the composite. Moreover, the interfacial interaction between N-doped porous carbon and RGO was enhanced which prevents convective heat dissipation between RGO@PC and surrounding air. Owing to these structural and compositional features, LA/RGO@PC possess an ultra-low operational voltage of 0.5 V, and a rapid photo-driven thermal response within 4 min which show great potential for manipulating urban heating systems.