Thermal conductivity enhancement of form-stable phase-change composites by milling of expanded graphite, micro-capsules and polyethylene

• Published in: Renewable energy 2013-12, Vol.60, p.506-509
• Main Authors: Wang, Xianglei, Guo, Quangui, Wang, Junzhong, Zhong, Yajuan, Wang, Liyong, Wei, Xinghai, Liu, Lang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Dispersions; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Expanded graphite; graphene; Graphite; Heat transfer; Microencapsulated phase change material; microencapsulation; Natural energy; Phase change; phase transition; polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polymer matrix composites; renewable energy sources; scanning electron microscopes; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermal conductivity; Wet milling
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.05.038

Structured form-stable phase change composites were prepared by wet milling and hot-compaction of microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM), expanded graphite (EG) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). In the composites, MPCM serves as a latent heat storage material, EG as a heat transfer promoting agent and HDPE as a matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization reveals that MPCM particles kept undamaged with a uniform dispersion in the composites. Thermal conductivity of the composites with 20 wt% EG loaded could be enhanced by 22 times compared to HDPE/MPCM composites without EG. And thermal conductivity of the composite could be increased by 10 times at a loading of 10 wt% EG. •Form-stable phase change composites were prepared by wet millingand hot-pressing method.•MPCM particles disperse uniformly in the composites and are undamaged.•EG and GP both can act as the thermal enhancers of the composites.•EG is more effective than GP as a thermal enhancer in the composites.