Shape-stabilized composite phase change materials with high thermal conductivity based on stearic acid and modified expanded vermiculite

• Published in: Renewable energy 2017-11, Vol.112, p.113-123
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaoguang, Yin, Zhaoyu, Meng, Dezhi, Huang, Zhaohui, Wen, Ruilong, Huang, Yaoting, Min, Xin, Liu, Yangai, Fang, Minghao, Wu, Xiaowen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Expanded vermiculite; Phase change materials; Stearic acid
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.05.026

Stearic acid (SA) and modified expanded vermiculite (EV) shape-stabilized composite phase change materials (ss-CPCMs) with enhanced thermal conductivity were prepared. EV was impregnated with a starch solution, and then a composite of EV and carbon (EVC) was obtained by carbonizing starch in-situ in the EV layers. 63.12 wt % of SA was retained in the SA/EVC ss-CPCMs without leakage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the EVC with highly porous micro-pores acted as a good support matrix for absorbing molten SA. The thermal conductivity of the SA/EVC ss-CPCMs was 0.52 W/(m K), and this was an increase of 52.9% compared with that of the SA/EV ss-CPCMs. The results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and thermal cycling tests indicated that the prepared SA/EVC ss-CPCMs are a promising material for energy efficient buildings because of their optimum phase-change temperature, a high enthalpy of phase change, ideal thermal conductivity, and good chemical and thermal stability. •The expanded vermiculite/carbon (EVC) was prepared by in-situ starch carbonization.•The EVC was a satisfactory SA supporting matrix.•The thermal conductivity of the SA/EVC ss-CPCMs was 0.52 W/(m K).•The SA/EVC ss-CPCMs has high enthalpy of phase change, and good thermal stabilities.