Preparation of N-hexadecane-based shape-stabilized composite phase change materials with improved thermal properties and determination of their thermal energy storage properties

Composite phase change materials (PCMs) containing n-hexadecane (HD) with polymer composite matrix decorated with CuO/Al2O3 or NiO particles were prepared and characterized. The polymer composite matrices used as support materials for shape stabilization of PCM were synthesized by emulsion-templating method. HD was integrated into the polymer composite matrices by solvent-assisted impregnation method. The effect of different sized CuO/Al2O3 and NiO particles used to improve the heat transfer properties of the composite PCMs was investigated by various analysis methods. The changes in morphological properties, thermal stabilities and latent heat storage properties of the composite PCMs were determined and comparatively evaluated by characterization methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), specific surface area measurement, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the melting temperature of the prepared composite PCMs was approximately 18 °C and the latent heat of melting values varied between 95.0-114.5 J/g. The effect of the presence of CuO/Al2O3 and NiO on the heat transfer properties in composite PCMs was investigated and heat storage and release curves were obtained by performing T-History test. Composite PCMs with NiO loaded supporting matrices exhibited better heat storage capacity and higher thermal stability as well as improved heat conduction characteristics compared to the composite PCMs containing CuO/Al2O3. Analysis results revealed that the n-HD based composite PCMs with shape-stability and improved thermal properties are energy storage materials, which have potential for use in low-temperature thermal energy storage systems. Keywords: Phase change materials, Composite material, Thermal energy storage