Work

Oil-Based Phase Change Emulsions Endowed with High Thermal Conductivity and Responsive Rheological Behavior

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: To overcome the low thermal conductivity and flow channel clogging inherent in traditional phase change materials (PCMs) for immersion cooling, this study develops a novel oil-based phase change emulsion (PCE) integrating high thermal transport with adaptive rheological behavior. A liquid thermal conductivity enhancer was synthesized by modifying epoxidized soybean oil with LiTFSI and blending it with a synthetic ester to form a dielectric base fluid. A mid-to-low-temperature PCM (Span65) was then incorporated via surfactant-free ultrasonic emulsification. The resulting PCE exhibits a tunable phase-change window (25~40 °C) driven by interfacial confinement effects and a multiscale lamellar network. It achieves significantly enhanced thermal conductivity (15% increase over base oil) while maintaining excellent electrical insulation (<10−9 S/cm). Rheologically, the emulsion transitions from shear-thinning in the solid state to near-Newtonian in the liquid state, optimizing both suspension stability and pumping efficiency. This work establishes a strategy for designing high-performance, safe, and energy-efficient dielectric coolants, offering a robust solution for next-generation electronic and battery thermal management systems.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma19071330

Authors: Yihua Qian, Qing Wang, Yaohong Zhao, Zhi Li

Institutions: Guangdong Power Grid Company (China), China Southern Power Grid (China)

Language: English

Topic: Phase Change Materials Research

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: China Southern Power Grid