Preparation and characterization of sepiolite-based phase change material nanocomposites for thermal energy storage. (25th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Konuklu, Yeliz; Ersoy, Orkun
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 107(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 575
• Page End: 582
• Publication Date: 2016-08-25
• Subjects: Phase change material -- Nanocomposite -- Sepiolite -- Thermal energy storage; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.07.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Sepiolite-based phase change material nanocomposites were prepared. An easy direct impregnation process was used. This paper is one of the first study about sepiolite-based phase change material nanocomposites. Influence of PCM type on thermal properties of nanocomposites was reported. Abstract: This paper is one of the first study about the preparation and characterization of sepiolite-based phase change material nanocomposites for thermal energy storage applications. Sepiolite is an important natural fibrous raw material. Nanoscale fibrous tubular structure of sepiolite becomes important in nanocomposite preparation. In this study, sepiolite/paraffin and sepiolite/decanoic acid nanocomposites were manufactured by the direct impregnation method. By the preparation of nanocomposites, PCM move in tubular channels of sepiolite, phase changing occurs in these tubes and surface area increases like as in microencapsulation. The structure and properties of nanocomposites PCMs (CPCM) have been characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM results prove the successful preparation of phase change material/sepiolite nanocomposites and point out that the fibers of sepiolite is modified with phase change materials in the nanocomposite. The phase change enthalpies of melting and freezing were about 62.08 J/g and −62.05 J/g for sepiolite/paraffin nanocomposites and 35.69 J/g and −34.55 J/g for sepiolite/decanoic acid nanocomposites, respectively. The results show that PCM/sepiolite nanocomposites were prepared successfully and their properties are very suitable for thermal energy storage applications.