Form-stable phase change material embedded with chitosan-derived carbon aerogel

Chitosan, as a low-price and eco-friendly raw material, was used to synthesize a graphene-based carbon aerogel (CA). Afterwards, 1-hexadecanol was infiltrated into CA to prepare a form-stable phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage. The morphologies and thermal properties of samples were analyzed. Even at 70 degrees C, the form-stable PCM still retains form stability without any leakage. TGA results reveal a remarkable absorption capacity of CA, which can hold up to 50 times its weight in 1-hexadecanol. A thermal conductivity enhancement of 107.9% along x-y direction of CA was achieved at the loading of nearly 2 wt%, while that in z direction is less remarkable. DSC results show excellent thermal stability of the form-stable PCM with a satisfactory latent heat capacity of around 220 kJ/kg. (C) 2017 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.