Production characterization of carbon-based composite phase change materials and investigation of their thermal energy storage properties

Phase change materials (PCM), with their latent heat storage properties, are used to prepare composite materials that store energy for later use by impregnating porous support materials under suitable conditions and in appropriate proportions. The aim is based on the principle of storing energy to be used when it is needed. This application has a very important place in terms of energy saving. The most basic features of FDM are that it has high energy storage density, high heat conduction, chemical stability of the structure, and is not flammable, caustic or corrosive. In this study, PCM was used as stearyl alcohol (SA), octadecane (OD) and stearic/capric acid eutectic mixture (KA-SA); Activated carbon (HCK) obtained from coconut shell, activated carbon (AAL) obtained from waste vehicle tires as porous support material; Composites consisting of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and expanded graphite (GG) were produced as thermal conductivity enhancing materials. The chemical structures of the prepared composites were analyzed by FT-IR, the morphological structures by SEM, the thermal properties by DSC and TGA analysis techniques, and the changes in thermal conductivity with the addition of GG and CNF were analyzed by thermal camera. According to the analysis results, it has been shown that the prepared composites are structurally stable and can be selected for use in thermal energy storage systems.