Comparison study between mesoporous silica nanoscale microsphere and active carbon used as the matrix of shape-stabilized phase change material

Abstract

Mesoporous silica nanoscale microsphere (MSNM), with a special morphology, high porosity, large pore volume and specific surface area, was successfully prepared and used as the matrix material of lauric acid (LA) to prepare a favorable shape-stabilized phase change material (LA/MSNM). The porous network structure of MSNM is effective to prevent the leakage and enhance the thermal stability of LA/MSNM. For comparison, shape-stabilized phase change material of LA/AC, which contained commercially purchased active carbon (AC) and LA, was prepared by the same method. Characterizations of LA/MSNM and LA/AC, such as chemical properties, structure, thermal properties and crystallization properties were studied. The mechanisms of interaction between LA molecules and MSNM or AC were explicated. The results of TGA test showed that the LA/MSNM and LA/AC had superior thermal stability, and however, the melting and solidification enthalpies of LA/MSNM were much higher than that of LA/AC, which was attributed that the loading capacity of MSNM was better than that of LA/AC. All of the study results demonstrated that the mesoporous silica nanoscale microspheres of MSNM synthesized in this study possessed the potential for practical applications as a suitable supporter of organic phase change materials.

Copper microsphere hybrid mesoporous carbon as matrix for preparation of shape-stabilized phase change materials with improved thermal properties

“…The calculated fusion and freezing enthalpies of PEG were 183 J/g and 164.6 J/g, respectively, and those of PEG/MPC-Cu were 95.98 J/g and 87.65 J/g, respectively. The measured enthalpy of PEG/MPC-Cu was smaller than the theoretical enthalpy, which was due to the physical limitations of van der Waals forces and capillary forces between the PEG and MPC-Cu in the composite of PEG/MPC-Cu 53 . However, the physical constraints of PEG by MPC-Cu can enhance the thermal stability of the PEG/MPC-Cu composite and avoid the leakage of PEG.…”

“…However, as the pores of MPC-Cu were filled with air, the thermal conductivity of MPC-Cu decreased, which was only 0.113 W/(m K), and after PEG was adsorbed by MPC-Cu, PEG molecules filled the pores of MPC-Cu. The heat transfer efficiency of PEG is significantly higher than that of air; the heat transfer path occurred through the porous carbon skeletons 53 , which improved the thermal conductivity of PEG/MPC-Cu compared to PEG. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of PEG/MPC-Cu, which was 0.502 W/(m K), improved by 100% and 66.7%, respectively, compared with those of pristine PEG and PEG/MPC.…”

Stability of mesoporous silica using ricinoleic methyl ester as a template with the addition of HCl and application of Cd2+ adsorption optimized by Box–Behnken design

“…If too much is added, it will result in large pores. 44 In the end, this research focused on variations in pH, especially the addition of HCl in the synthesis of mesoporous silica. The addition of the right pH conditions will produce mesoporous silica with high porosity and a large surface area.…”

A Review of Composite Phase Change Materials Based on Porous Silica Nanomaterials for Latent Heat Storage Applications

“…in a different study also showed that no heat of fusion was detected at 40% wt. loading, indicating the formation of the non-melting layer [ 141 ].…”