Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate was hybrid with n-octadecane as the phase change material (PCM) by reversed-phase emulsification. The cellulose sponge obtained based on cellulose nanocrystals was used as the support material to fabricate a shape-stable composite phase change material (CPCM) through impregnation. It was laminated with cotton fabric to obtain a sandwich structure thermal insulation fabric. An infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, differential thermal scanning calorimeter, and other equipment were used to characterize the morphology, chemical groups, and latent heat properties of CPCMs and thermal insulation fabrics. The results displayed that the cellulose sponge had a porosity of 99.03%, a density of 0.012 g/cm3, and could withstand 1900 times its weight. When the mass proportion of PCM in the composite system was 67.5%, its latent heat energy was 84.44 J/g, which also revealed optimal shape stability. Compared to the original fabric, the thermal insulation efficiency of the sandwich structured fabric was increased by 17.7%∼18.2%, and the photothermal conversion rate reached 25.88%, with good application performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]