A method to form a phase change material (PCM). The method includes preparing a polymer solution by mixing an amount of a polymer in a solvent and mixing the polymer solution with an UiO-66 metal-organic framework (MOF) to form a composite. The polymer is a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The method further includes subjecting the composite to ultrasonic agitation and evaporating the solvent from the composite to form the PCM. After the evaporation of the solvent, particles of the PCM exhibit rounded octahedral structures.

A method to form a phase change material (PCM). The method includes preparing a polymer solution by mixing an amount of a polymer in a solvent and mixing the polymer solution with an UiO-66 metal-organic framework (MOF) to form a composite. The polymer is a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The method further includes subjecting the composite to ultrasonic agitation and evaporating the solvent from the composite to form the PCM. After the evaporation of the solvent, particles of the PCM exhibit rounded octahedral structures.

Nanoporous composite separators are disclosed for use in batteries and capacitors comprising a nanoporous inorganic material and an organic polymer material. The inorganic material may comprise Al.sub.2O.sub.3, AlO(OH) or boehmite, AlN, BN, SiN, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, or combinations thereof. The nanoporous composite separator may have a porosity of between 35-50%. The average pore size of the nanoporous composite separator may be between 10-90 nm. The separator may be formed by coating a substrate with a dispersion including the inorganic material, organic material, and a solvent. Once dried, the coating may be removed from the substrate, thus forming the nanoporous composite separator. A nanoporous composite separator may provide increased thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at temperatures above 200° C. compared to polyolefin separators.

Nanoporous composite separators are disclosed for use in batteries and capacitors comprising a nanoporous inorganic material and an organic polymer material. The inorganic material may comprise Al.sub.2O.sub.3, AlO(OH) or boehmite, AlN, BN, SiN, ZnO, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, or combinations thereof. The nanoporous composite separator may have a porosity of between 35-50%. The average pore size of the nanoporous composite separator may be between 10-90 nm. The separator may be formed by coating a substrate with a dispersion including the inorganic material, organic material, and a solvent. Once dried, the coating may be removed from the substrate, thus forming the nanoporous composite separator. A nanoporous composite separator may provide increased thermal conductivity and dimensional stability at temperatures above 200° C. compared to polyolefin separators.

A polymer composition comprising a polymer matrix within which a plurality of flake-shaped mineral particles and mineral whiskers are distributed is provided. The polymer composition exhibits an in-plane thermal conductivity of about 0.2 W/m-K or more as determined in accordance with ASTM E 1461-13.

A polymer composition comprising a polymer matrix within which a plurality of flake-shaped mineral particles and mineral whiskers are distributed is provided. The polymer composition exhibits an in-plane thermal conductivity of about 0.2 W/m-K or more as determined in accordance with ASTM E 1461-13.

A slurry of the graphene oxides comprises the graphene oxides and a solvent. The graphene oxides include a strong graphene oxide and a weak graphene oxide. The slurry can be used to make composite films of graphene oxides and graphene heat-conducting films. The slurry includes two graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, which can increase a carbon content in the graphene oxide per unit mass, so that the finally obtained graphene heat-conducting film has more carbon.

A slurry of the graphene oxides comprises the graphene oxides and a solvent. The graphene oxides include a strong graphene oxide and a weak graphene oxide. The slurry can be used to make composite films of graphene oxides and graphene heat-conducting films. The slurry includes two graphene oxides with different degrees of oxidation, which can increase a carbon content in the graphene oxide per unit mass, so that the finally obtained graphene heat-conducting film has more carbon.

A material may be included in a cooling film or cooling panel to achieve cooling even under direct solar irradiation. The material includes one or more constituent materials and an outer surface configured to interact thermally with the atmosphere and with solar radiation. The material exhibits an emissivity of at least 0.8 in spectral range of 5 μm to 15 μm, an ultraviolet reflectivity of at least 0.5 in the spectral range of 275 nm to 375 nm, an ultraviolet absorptivity of at least 0.75 in the spectral range of 275 nm to 375 nm, or a combination thereof. A cooling film, or cooling panel, may be affixed to an exterior surface of a vehicle, structure, or system to provide cooling even under direct solar irradiance.

A material may be included in a cooling film or cooling panel to achieve cooling even under direct solar irradiation. The material includes one or more constituent materials and an outer surface configured to interact thermally with the atmosphere and with solar radiation. The material exhibits an emissivity of at least 0.8 in spectral range of 5 μm to 15 μm, an ultraviolet reflectivity of at least 0.5 in the spectral range of 275 nm to 375 nm, an ultraviolet absorptivity of at least 0.75 in the spectral range of 275 nm to 375 nm, or a combination thereof. A cooling film, or cooling panel, may be affixed to an exterior surface of a vehicle, structure, or system to provide cooling even under direct solar irradiance.