Bi-Sn-In phase change material with low melting point and high cyclic stability for thermal energy storage and management

Rapid thermal energy storage and management is of great significance in the fields of energy utilization and sustainable thermal control. In present article, Bi-Sn-In phase change material with low melting point and high cyclic stability for rapid thermal energy storage and management was designed and prepared by static melting method, and thermal properties and thermal management performance of this alloy were further reported. According to microstructure evolution of the alloy from SEM and XRD analyses, thermal cycling promoted a homogeneous microstructure and grain refinement, and the alloy finally transformed to stable phase with BiIn2 and InSn4, so it exhibited excellent chemical stability after thermal cycles. After 200 thermal cycles, the volu-metric latent heat and melting point were respectively 233.4 MJm (-3) and 58.3 degrees C, and they were slightly reduced within 2.4%. Thermal conductivity of the alloy gradually increased with thermal cycles, and it was 23.58 W/(m.C-o) after 200 thermal cycles. The thermal management performance of the alloy and associated organic materials was measured by thermal infrared images, and the transient temperature response of the alloy can be improved with the increasing of thermal cycles, showing good thermal stability. Compared with organic ma-terials, Bi-Sn-In alloy had close volumetric latent heat and melting point, and it had higher thermal conductivity and thermal stability, therefore it provided better transient temperature response during heating and cooling process.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the design and preparation of Bi-Sn-In phase change material with low melting point and high cyclic stability for rapid thermal energy storage and management. The alloy exhibited excellent chemical stability and thermal performance, with slight reduction in volumetric latent heat and melting point after thermal cycles.