Research on the preparation and properties of lauric acid/expanded perlite phase change materials
writer：Liu Jiesheng
keywords：PCM
source：期刊
specific source：Energy and buildings
Issue time：2016年
In this study, a form-stable lauric acid/expanded perlite (LA/EP) composite was prepared by absorbing
paraffin into porous networks of expanded perlite. The form-stable composite was characterized by
using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning
electron microscope (SEM) techniques, durability and leakage test. Leakage test results showed that
optimum and maximum mass fraction of LA contained in the composite without leakage is 70 wt.%. The
FT-IR results revealed that there were physical interactions between the expanded perlite and the lauric
acid. In addition, SEM images showed that LA can be quite evenly dispersed in the porous skeleton of EP.
The melting temperature and latent heat of the form-stable EP/PA composite containing 70 wt.% lauric
acid were determined as 43.2 ?C and 105.58 J/g, presenting its suitable phase transition temperature,
sufficient latent heat, good thermal stability for application as composite phase change materials (PCMs).
The durability test showed that the leakage problems of PCMs composite can be greatly prevented because
of the interaction between the expanded perlite and the LA. All the results suggested that the form-stable
EP/PA composite has great potential in building applications for thermal energy storage