Methods and systems for producing beaded polymeric fibers with advanced thermoregulating properties

Abstract

A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for producing a microfiber including biomass, the system comprising:
 a coaxial spinneret having an inner conduit and an outer conduit;   a grounded coagulation bath opposite the coaxial spinneret, the coagulation bath including one or more solvents;   a source of biomass in communication with the outer conduit;   a source of a phase-change material (PCM) in communication with the inner conduit; and   a potentiostat positioned to provide a voltage between the spinneret and the coagulation bath.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner conduit has a first flow diameter and the outer conduit has a second flow diameter, wherein the ratio of the first flow diameter to the second flow diameter is about 0.25. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the spinneret is separated from the coagulation bath by about 13 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more solvents includes ethanol, water, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the biomass includes cellulose. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the PCM includes coconut oil, paraffin wax, fatty acids, polyethylene glycol, salt hydrates, or combinations thereof.