Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Preparation and thermal properties of palmitic acid/expanded graphite/carbon fiber composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using palmitic acid (PA), expanded graphite (EG), and carbon fiber (CF) as raw materials, PA/EG/CF composite phase change materials (CPCMs) with diverse CF contents were invented by melt blending approach. The effects of different ratios on thermal properties were studied by experimental characterization and testing. Scanning electron microscopy images displayed that PA was adsorbed in the pores of the EG surface, while CF was disorderly but uniformly embedded in the interior and surface of pores. The chemical stability and thermal decomposition stability of CPCM at low temperature were proved by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and thermogravimetric analyzer results, respectively. According to the law of heat storage/release time and latent heat variation, the optimal ratio scheme was determined, and its heat storage/release time was 65% and 59% lower than pure PA, respectively. The form-stable materials were prepared by compression forming method, and thermal cycling experiment results demonstrated that the higher the content of CF, the stronger the inhibition of mass loss. Based on the experimental results, the PA/EG/CF CPCM has the advantages of stable phase transition, strong stability, and fast heat storage and release rate, so it has a marvelous application prospect in the field of low-temperature heat storage engineering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CA:

Capric acid

CBCF:

Carbon-bonded carbon fiber

CF:

Carbon fiber

CNT:

Carbon nanotubes

CPCM:

Composite phase change material

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimeter

EG:

Expanded graphite

EVA:

Ethylene-vinyl acetate

FG:

Foam graphite

FT-IR:

Fourier transform infrared spectrometer

GN:

Graphene

GnPs:

Graphene nanoplatelets

LA:

Lauric acid

MA:

Myristic acid

MC:

Mesoporous carbon

PA:

Palmitic acid

PCM:

Phase change material

RSS:

Root sum square

SA:

Stearic acid

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopes

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analyzer

XRD:

X-ray powder diffractometer

ΔH :

Latent heat (kJ kg−1)

W :

Mass fraction (%)

R145 :

Mass fraction at 145 °C (%)

R400 :

Mass fraction of residue at 400 °C (%)

ΔW :

Mass loss rate (%)

References

  1. Pielichowska K, Pielichowski K. Phase change materials for thermal energy storage. Prog Mater Sci. 2014;65:67–123.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pomianowski M, Heiselberg P, Zhang YP. Review of thermal energy storage technologies based on PCM application in buildings. Energy Build. 2013;67:56–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhang HL, Baeyens J, Caceres G, et al. Thermal energy storage: recent developments and practical aspects. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2016;53:1–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. da Cunha JP, Eames P. Thermal energy storage for low and medium temperature applications using phase change materials: a review. Appl Energy. 2016;177:227–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhou SY, Zhou Y, Ling ZY, et al. Modification of expanded graphite and its adsorption for hydrated salt to prepare composite PCMs. Appl Therm Eng. 2018;133:446–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Yuan YP, Zhang N, Tao WQ, Cao XL, He YL. Fatty acids as phase change materials: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2014;29:482–98.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Abujas CR, Jove A, Prieto C, Gallas M, Cabeza LF. Performance comparison of a group of thermal conductivity enhancement methodology in phase change material for thermal storage application. Renew Energy. 2016;97:434–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Fleming E, Wen SY, Shi L, da Silva AK. Experimental and theoretical analysis of an aluminum foam enhanced phase change thermal storage unit. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2015;82:273–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang XL, Chen XD, Zhao QZ, Ding L. The research on the dispersion effect improvement for nano-copper in erythritol. Mater Res Innov. 2015;19:9–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Xu T, Li YT, Chen JY, Wu HJ, Zhou XQ, Zhang ZG. Improving thermal management of electronic apparatus with paraffin (PA)/expanded graphite (EG)/graphene (GN) composite material. Appl Therm Eng. 2018;140:13–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Barreneche C, Navarro ME, Fernandez AI, Cabeza LF. Improvement of the thermal inertia of building materials incorporating PCM. Evaluation in the macroscale. Appl Energy. 2013;109:428–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ke HZ, Cai YB, Wei QF, Xiao Y, Dong J, Hu Y, Song L, He GF, Zhao Y, Fong H. Electrospun ultrafine composite fibers of binary fatty acid eutectics and polyethylene terephthalate as innovative form-stable phase change materials for storage and release of thermal energy. Int J Energy Res. 2013;37:657–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhong YJ, Guo QG, Li SZ, Shi JL, Liu L. Heat transfer enhancement of paraffin wax using graphite foam for thermal energy storage. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2010;94:1011–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cheng F, Wen RL, Huang ZH, et al. Preparation and analysis of lightweight wall material with expanded graphite (EG)/paraffin composites for solar energy storage. Appl Therm Eng. 2017;120:107–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Huang X, Alva G, Liu LK, Fang GY. Microstructure and thermal properties of cetyl alcohol/high density polyethylene composite phase change materials with carbon fiber as shape-stabilized thermal storage materials. Appl Energy. 2017;200:19–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zou DQ, Ma XF, Liu XS, Zheng PJ, Hu YP. Thermal performance enhancement of composite phase change materials (PCM) using graphene and carbon nanotubes as additives for the potential application in lithium-ion power battery. Int J Heat Mass Transf. 2018;120:33–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kinkelin C, Lips S, Soupremanien U, Remondière V, et al. Theoretical and experimental study of a thermal damper based on a CNT/PCM composite structure for transient electronic cooling. Energy Convers Manag. 2017;142:257–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Atinafu DG, Dong WJ, Huang XB, Gao HY, Wang G. Introduction of organic-organic eutectic PCM in mesoporous N-doped carbons for enhanced thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity. Appl Energy. 2018;211:1203–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Peng L, Xu Z, Liu Z, et al. Ultrahigh thermal conductive yet superflexible graphene films. Adv Mater. 2017;29:27.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Huang X, Alva G, Liu LK, Fang GY. Preparation, characterization and thermal properties of fatty acid eutectics/bentonite/expanded graphite composites as novel form-stable thermal energy storage materials. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 2017;166:157–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhang H, Gao XN, Chen CX, et al. A capric-palmitic-stearic acid ternary eutectic mixture/expanded graphite composite phase change material for thermal energy storage. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf. 2016;87:138–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Jiang Z, Ouyang T, Yang Y, et al. Thermal conductivity enhancement of phase change materials with form-stable carbon bonded carbon fiber network. Mater Des. 2018;143:177–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. He Y, Zhang X, Zhang YJ, et al. Utilization of lauric acid-myristic acid/expanded graphite phase change materials to improve thermal properties of cement mortar. Energy Build. 2016;133:547–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yu HT, Gao JM, Chen Y, et al. Preparation and properties of stearic acid/expanded graphite composite phase change material for low-temperature solar thermal application. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2016;124:87–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Yuan YP, Zhang N, Li TY, et al. Thermal performance enhancement of palmitic-stearic acid by adding graphene nanoplatelets and expanded graphite for thermal energy storage: a comparative study. Energy. 2016;97:488–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tian BQ, Yang WB, Luo LJ, et al. Synergistic enhancement of thermal conductivity for expanded graphite and carbon fiber in paraffin/EVA form-stable phase change materials. Sol Energy. 2016;127:48–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research is jointly financed by the Science and Technology Development Plan Program of Jilin Province, China (No. 20180201008SF), and the Jilin Provincial Department of Education Research Program (No. JJKH20180434KJ).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, 132000, China

    Gao Long, Sun Xuegeng, Sun Baizhong, Che Deyong, Li Shaohua & Liu Zhongze

Authors
  1. Gao Long
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sun Xuegeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sun Baizhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Che Deyong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Li Shaohua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Liu Zhongze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sun Baizhong.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gao, L., Sun, X., Sun, B. et al. Preparation and thermal properties of palmitic acid/expanded graphite/carbon fiber composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage. J Therm Anal Calorim 141, 25–35 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-08755-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-08755-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation