A novel carbon reducing natural composite phase change material for effective energy storage

Abstract

The development of fatty acid made from natural composite materials Lac, Rosin, Flowers of silk cotton, Red ochre, Cinnabar, Beeswax, and Butter as a novel bio-based Natural Composite Phase Change Material (NCPCM) is the subject of the present study. This bio-based material was produced for the first time using natural, readily available, inexpensive, and eco-friendly with a peak phase transition temperature of 75 °C and 194 J/g as the latent heat capacity of fusion. Three distinct compositions, 2 %, 3 % and 5 % of NCPCM to the weight of the binder, were produced by the direct incorporation method into the natural hydraulic lime matrix. The newly developed NCPCM-incorporated lime mortar specimens were characterized based on their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, and their results were compared with reference lime mortar (RLM). The compressive strength of NCPCM2 and NCPCM3 at 28 days increased by 22.64 % and 47.42 %, respectively. The produced NCPCM retains good thermal stability in its temperature operating range. The XRD findings showed that adding Lac and Rosin containing carboxylic acid esters of fatty acids increased the calcium carbonate formation. The produced FTIR validated the produced material's chemical stability, and SEM images demonstrated that the developed matrix's morphology successfully retains the added bio-additives. From an environmental perspective, the prepared NCPCM in lime mortar can reduce CO2 emissions by 296 kg·CO2/kg and 286 kg·CO2/kg. Furthermore, adding the produced NCPCM as bio-additives to lime mortar can explore the creation of sustainable mortar, which leads to environmental and economic benefits.