Composite of Coal-Series Kaolinite and Capric-Lauric Acid as Form-Stable Phase-Change Material

A composite phase-change material (PCM) consisting of a binary organic mixture of capric-lauric acid and coal-series kaolinite (Kc) as was prepared by vacuum impregnation. Dimethyl sulfoxide was used as intercalation agent to increase the interlayer Kc space, enhancing the storage energy density of the composite PCM. Capric (CA) and lauric (LA) acids were inserted into the interlayers of the Kc intercalation complexes (I-Kc). The chemical structure and thermal properties of the composite PCM were characterized in detail. The thermal performance of the corresponding cement paste composite PCM panel was also evaluated. The latent heat of the CA-LA/I-Kc was 42.36 Jg(-1) at a melting temperature of 16.96 degrees C at a CA-LA content of 36.93%. The melting temperature of the composite PCM changed to -0.33 degrees C and the latent heat storage capacity to 0.22 Jg(-1) after one month of thermal cycling, which shows the excellent thermal reliability of the composite PCM and potential application for thermal energy storage in energy-efficient buildings.