Solid–Solid Phase Change Layered Hybrid Materials for Thermal Energy Storage: Impact of the Chemical Composition and Structural Topology

Solvent-free preparation and performance of novel xylitol based solid-solid phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Random copolymer of poly(polyethylene glycol methyl ether)methacrylate as tunable transition temperature solid-solid phase change material for thermal energy storage

Thermodynamic assessment of binary systems Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-Pentaglycerine (TRIS-PG) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol-Pentaglycerine (AMPL-PG) phase diagrams

What about greener phase change materials? A review on biobased phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications

The evaluation and development of new‐generation phase change materials for thermal energy storage are important for application temperatures and functionality. Terathanes’ properties make them potential candidates for thermal energy storage. For this reason, Terathane 1000 has been tested using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to assess its physicochemical and thermal energy storage properties. According to the DSC results, the heat storage and release onset temperature values, among the most important parameters, are 13.0 and 5.7 ° C, while the heat energy storage values are 75.5 and 81.0 J/g. In addition, the thermal resistance limit was determined using a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system, and the conductivity value was increased by 31.5% by doping with a thermal conductivity agent to enhance usability. That is, the reaction time at ambient temperature could be shortened by adding expanded graphite. As a result of TGA measurements, it was observed that Terathane 1000 could withstand higher temperatures (295 ° C) than other organic substances. Polarized optical microscopy analysis revealed that Terathane 1000 maintained its surface morphology after accelerated thermal cycling.

Thermosetting solid–solid phase change materials composed of poly(ethylene glycol)-based two components: Flexible application for thermal energy storage

Intrinsic photothermal phase change materials with enhanced toughness and flexibility for thermal management in extreme environments

Aluminum and silicon based phase change materials for high capacity thermal energy storage

Thermal properties and stabilities of the eutectic mixture: 1,6-hexanediol/lauric acid as a phase change material for thermal energy storage

Various properties of the paraffin have made them compatible to be incorporated in the building materials for improving the latent heat storage capacity of the building envelope. However, the poor thermal conductivity of the paraffin reduces their thermal performance and hence limits their direct application/incorporation in the buildings. In this study, composite mixtures of paraffin and expanded perlite (EP) with an equal weight percent of 49.5 and 47.5, loaded with 1% and 5% of graphene nano-platelets, respectively, were synthesized. The developed samples were characterized uncycled and after 2000 thermal cycles. The results indicate that phase change material (PCM)/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets composite shows a significant increment in the thermal conductivity, reduction in the latent heat storage capacity, and a small weight loss. The heat storage/release test depicts that the phase change material/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets-5 shows 1.66 and 2.5 times faster heat storage/release rate than phase change material/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets-1 and paraffin, respectively. There is no significant change noted after 2000 thermal cycles in phase change material/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets-5 and phase change material/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets-1 samples, suggesting long-term reliability of the composite PCM. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) testing were also conducted and the results suggest high thermal reliability and good chemical compatibility. These analyses suggest that the phase change material/expanded perlite/graphene nano-platelets composite can become a potential candidate for thermal energy storage.

Phase change materials (PCM) have a potential role in thermal energy storage applications. Recent progress has shown notable work on solid solid phase change materials (SS-PCM) which possess unique advantages of low subcooling, limited volume expansion due to a solid solid phase transition, high thermal stability and also had significant latent heat and thermal conductivity values. This review addresses current research on SS-PCM with the focus on solid solid phase transition mechanisms, properties, thermo-physical property enhancement, and experimental case studies for specific energy storage applications. The mechanism of solid solid phase transition for different classifications of SS-PCM with regards to a phase transition temperature and latent heat has provided in detail. This review also includes information regarding fundamental properties of SS-PCM along with methods for property enhancement, details on binary/ternary mixtures of SS-PCM and hybrid SS-PCMs, which allow altering phase transition temperature and increase thermal conductivity. Finally, the potential use of enhanced SS-PCM are discussed in detail, guiding researchers to select, customize, future scope, and addresses research gap of the SS-PCM for different energy storage applications.

1,3-Bisstearoylurea and 1,1,3,3-tetrastearoylurea were produced as solid-solid phase change materials (SS-PCMs) for potential solar thermal energy storage (TES) applications via condensation of urea with the respective amount of carboxyl chloride (stearoyl chloride). Both 1,3-bisstearoylurea and 1,1,3,3-tetrastearoylurea were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis techniques. 1,3-Bisstearoylurea and 1,1,3,3-tetrastearoylurea had considerable melting/crystallization enthalpy. The reason for crystallization was structural symmetry and flexibility of long alkyl groups there. Di and tetra alkyl groups made it possible to discuss the structure-property relationship for organic PCMs. Besides, the compounds were characterized through DSC and FT-IR spectroscopy before and after thermal cycling to determine their thermal reliability. Solid-solid phase change enthalpies of them for melting and crystallization were found 95.86 and −87.6 Jg−1 for 1,3-bisstearoylurea, respectively and 27.7 and −25.8 Jg−1 for 1,1,3.3-tetrastearoylurea, respectively. Thermal conductivity was studied to increase by simply expanded graphite addition. The thermal endurance limits of 1,3-bisstearoylurea and 1,1,3,3-tetrastearoylurea compounds were studied using TG analysis.

In a concentrated solar power (CSP), high operating temperature (over 500 °C) is the key for enhancing the efficiency of the system. The operating temperature of the system mainly relies on thermal energy storage (TES) material. Existing TES materials such as mineral oil or paraffin wax cannot be applicable at high temperatures, since these materials are not thermally stable over 400 °C. However, very few materials are suitable and reliable for the high temperatures. Using molten salts (e.g., alkali nitrate, alkali carbonate, alkali chloride, etc.) as thermal energy storage material is an alternative way due to several benefits. They are cheap and environmentally safe compared with the conventional TES materials. They are thermally stable at higher temperatures (over 500 °C). However, their usage is limited due to low thermo-physical properties (e.g. Cp is less than 1.6 J/g°C). The low thermo-physical properties can be improved by dispersing nanoparticles into the salts. In this study, nanomaterials were synthesized by dispersing inorganic nanoparticles into ionic salts. Modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC) was used to measure the heat capacity of the nanomaterials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for material characteristic analysis. Hence, the application of the nanomaterials as thermal energy storage in a concentrated solar power was explored.

Research on phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage is playing a significant role in energy management industry. However, some hurdles during the storage of energy have been perceived such as less thermal conductivity, leakage of PCM during phase transition, flammability, and insufficient mechanical properties. For overcoming such obstacle, researchers have been concentrating on composite PCM, where PCM is combined with metal or non-metal particles, fibrous materials, expanded or porous materials, and flame retardants. The main purpose of the current paper is to review the properties enhanced paraffin-based composite PCM. In the literature review, paraffin is selected as a thermal energy storage material, which is mixed with property-enhancing material to prepare composite. Structural and thermal properties of composite have been explored with the help of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, polarizing optical microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Mechanical properties of the material are also portrayed using different testing techniques. Nevertheless, numerical methods have also been adopted for characterization of composite. It is found from the literature review that with incorporation of property-enhancing material, thermal conductivity, phase transition rate, and shape stability of PCM increased at the same time flammability, heat storage capacity, and mechanical properties reduced.

Synthesis, characterization and applications of microencapsulated phase change materials in thermal energy storage: A review