Preparation and characterization of composite phase change materials based on paraffin and carbon foams derived from starch

In this paper, a composite phase change material based on paraffin and carbon foam derived from starch was prepared. The paraffin was encapsulated in the carbon foam, which was prepared by using a foaming and steaming method at different carbonization temperatures. Carbon foams comprised amorphous carbon and were impregnated with paraffin to obtain the paraffin/carbon foam composites (PCCs). When carbonized at 1100 degrees C, the loading percentage of the carbon foam enabled to reach maximum 72.79%. Paraffin encapsulation did not result in any new structure or chemical bonds involved or change in the geometry. The latent heats of the sample were 174.3 J/g at the melting temperature (47.9 degrees C), and 151.4 J/g at the freezing temperature (52.8 degrees C). Thermal conductivity of PCCs reached up to 1.93 times than that of paraffin. The composite phase change material fabrication was cost-effective, environment friendly, chemically stable, and suitable for energy-efficient building applications.

Automated summary

The study developed a composite phase change material based on paraffin and carbon foam, showing efficient phase change properties and thermal conductivity, suitable for energy-efficient building applications.