Low temperature solid state synthesis and characterisation of lauric acid/SiO2 phase change energy storage materials

Abstract

Abstract Lauric acid/silicon dioxide composite phase change energy storage materials were prepared by low temperature solid state reaction using lauric acid as phase change component and sodium silicate as matrix. The structure, morphology and thermal performance of the composite were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The test results show that lauric acid materials are effectively imbedded into the net of silicon dioxide by low temperature solid state reaction. The latent heat and melting temperature of the composite are 98·94 J g−1 and 58·6°C respectively. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of composite phase change materials is improved by using silicon dioxide as matrix material.