Abstract
Thermal energy storage (TES) composites were fabricated by employing diatomite stabilized paraffin as phase change material (PCM) and wood flour/high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) as matrix. TES capacity of the small pores inside diatomite was investigated. The morphology, pore diameter and structure of diatomite and form-stable phase change material (FSPCM) were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The prepared TES composites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared thermography. Physical and mechanical strength were also tested. The results showed that: (1) diatomite has abundant pores and these isolated small pores below 10μm result in excellent TES capacity; (2) the FSPCM presented outstanding stability without any chemical reactions, and the liquid leakage was completely solved by using WF/HDPE as the secondary encapsulation material; (3) the TES composites possess considerable energy storage capacity and temperature-regulating ability; (4) the satisfying TES performance and acceptable mechanical strength indicated that the TES composites could be used as building material for energy conversation.
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