Novel Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material with Cascade Character: Synthesis, Performance and Shaping Evaluation

Abstract

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) materials, such as Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are proven to enhance the energy efficiency in many fields, such as automotive and building sectors, which correspond to the most energy intensive ones. Shape-stabilized PCM and cascade PCM are procedures to overcome the most important barriers when PCMs are applied since PCMs need to be encapsulated for their technical use: the leakage of the liquid phase, corrosion, low heat transfer and narrow temperature of application. In the present study, a novel shape stabilized PCM with cascade performance (cascade shape stabilized phase change material, CSS-PCM) is synthesized via dissolution, which allows up to 60 wt.% of a paraffin-PCM in the final composition. The novel CSS-PCM is based on a biopolymer, the polycaprolactone (PCL), a low melting temperature polyester as polymeric matrix and RT27 and Micronal DS 5040 acting as PCM. To evaluate the performance of the new TES materials developed, several techniques have been used: Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-Transformed Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to evaluate the thermophysical properties and the chemical properties of the different formulations. The CSS-PCM show an increment of storage capacity by increasing the PCM content, and the thermal reliability was also tested: some of the CSS-PCM formulations were stable for up to 500 thermal cycles. Finally, as a potential application of the new polymeric-based PCM 3D, a printing attempt was performed in order to analyze the viability of the formulations to be used as 3D printing material as a first proof of concept.

Advanced Materials and Additive Manufacturing for Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage and Management: A Review

“…[ 94,95 ] Using PCL as a matrix, PCM additions up to 60 wt.% were made, but only 20 wt.% PCM filaments were printed, reducing the PCM transition enthalpy from 25 to 10 J g −1 in the printed state. [ 112 ]…”

“…[ 97,111 ] Using solution processes, PCL was dissolved in chloroform and 60 wt.% MEPCM was dispersed in the solution prior to drying and breaking up into pellets that had a melt enthalpy around 40 J g −1 . [ 112 ]…”

“…With several curing mechanisms for ink‐based materials, MEPCMs could inhibit light transmittance in photocuring or deteriorate in the presence of some solvents for evaporative curing. [ 112 ] Much like DIW processes, MEPCMs have potential in resin‐based systems if they can stay in suspension, do not inhibit photocuring, or severely affect the viscosity. In polymer powder‐based processing, MEPCMs would need to withstand the laser intensity without incurring damage.…”

Polystyrene nanoparticles slurry as an additive for developing insulating and waterproof gypsum composites

“…5. The FT-IR spectra of the NPS presented the absorption bands at 3020, 750 and 695 cm-1, attributed to aromatic C-H stretching vibration, corresponding to the polystyrene [38][39][40] and bands corresponding to Si-alkoxy and Si-OH groups at 1110-1000 and 920-850 cm -1 , respectively [31]. In addition, peaks located in 1490 and 1450 cm -1 confirmed the presence of aromatic C=C stretching vibration absorption [41].…”

Thermoregulating gypsums by using nanoencapsulated phase change material slurry

“…This spectrum presents also absorption bands at 3020, 750 and 695 cm −1 , attributed to aromatic C-H stretching vibration, corresponding to the polymeric shell of poly(styrene-divinylbenzene). In addition, peaks located between 1600 and 1500 cm −1 confirmed the presence of C=C phenyl stretching [50][51][52]. In the spectrum of gypsum without NPCM, the band within at 3200-3800 cm −1 denotes asymmetric stretching band of crystalline water.…”