Facile Synthesis and Thermal Properties of Nanoencapsulated n-Dodecanol with SiO2 Shell as Shape-Formed Thermal Energy Storage Material

A novel nanencapsulated phase change material (NEPCM) was fabricated via the self-assembly method with n-dodecanol as the core and SiO2 derived from sodium silicate as the shell. The as-prepared nanocapsules with different core/shell ratios were investigated systematically. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy photographs indicated that the products had a nearly spherical and compact surface with nanometer size. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed that SiO2 was successfully encapsulated upon n-dodecanol. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the NEPCMs exhibited similar phase change characteristics to pristine n-dodecanol, which melted at 21.03 degrees C with a latent heat of 116.7 J/g and solidified at 19.58 degrees C with a latent heat of 114.6 J/g. Thermogravimetric analysis and thermal cycle tests revealed that the nanocapsules had good thermal stability. In conclusion, the prepared nanocapsules have great potential for thermal energy storage and building energy conservation as a result of their facile synthesis process, low cost, and excellent thermal properties.