Reinforcement and shape stabilization of phase-change material via graphene oxide aerogel. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Yue; Fleischer, Amy S.; Feng, Gang
• Is Part Of: Carbon. Volume 114(2017)
• Page Start: 334
• Page End: 346
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbone -- Périodiques; Koolstof; Toepassingen; Electronic journals; 546.681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.11.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-6223

Abstract

Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) are of interest in many applications which may require shape-stabilization. In this study, a graphene oxide aerogel (GOxA) reinforced paraffin PCM composite is developed, effectively reinforcing and shape-stabilizing the paraffin. The molecular and diffraction characterizations suggest that the GOxA network potentially affects paraffin's crystallization. The mechanical characterizations using durometer and nanoindentation show that the composite is 3∼7× harder than pure paraffin and maintains significant strength even above paraffin's melting temperature. Moreover, the composite is much less strain-rate sensitive than paraffin. The reinforcement via GOxA is much beyond the prediction by the rule-of-mixture, implying a strong GOxA-paraffin interfacial bonding. To our best knowledge, this is the first study on the mechanical behavior of paraffin and GOxA-PCM composite, providing critical insights into their behavior. Additionally, the relationship between the hardness and durometer index first-ever developed here will enable the quantitative durometer testing on materials for many other applications at different ambient conditions due to its versatility and simplicity.