A greener thermochromic poplar-based alizarin/palmitic acid composite with a coral reef-like surface microstructure
摘要
A greener thermochromic poplar-based alizarin/palmitic acid composite (TPAP) was prepared by directly filling a thermochromic binary dye (TBD), consisting of alizarin and palmitic acid, into untreated poplar (UP). TBD and TPAP are both temperature-induced phase-transition materials that can reversibly change color during the phase-transition process. The solid-state micro-morphology of TPAP features a coral reef-like surface microstructure, which increases the contact area between the TPAP and the thermal environment, therefore, the TPAP can rapidly change color within 3–5 s during the phase change process. The color of TBD is orange-red when the alizarin in TBD has one –OH (α-OH) and one –O− (originating from β-OH) at < 56 °C, however, the color of TBD is yellow when its alizarin has two –OH (α-OH and β-OH) at ≥ 72 ℃. Moreover, the color of TPAP is orange-yellow when the alizarin in TPAP has two -OH (α-OH and β-OH) at < 56 °C, and the color of TPAP is dark-red when its alizarin has one –OH (α-OH) and one –O− (originating from β-OH) that combines with wood at ≥ 72 ℃. TBD and TPAP are two phase-transition materials with the thermal-responsive function for intelligent buildings.