Performance of a thermal energy storage composite by incorporating diatomite stabilized paraffin as phase change material

Thermal energy storage (TES) composites were fabricated by employing diatomite stabilized paraffin as phase change material (PCM) and wood flour/high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) as matrix. TES capacity of the small pores inside diatomite was investigated. The morphology, pore diameter and structure of diatomite and form-stable phase change material (FSPCM) were measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The prepared TES composites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared thermography. Physical and mechanical strength were also tested. The results showed that: (1) diatomite has abundant pores and these isolated small pores below 10 mu m result in excellent TES capacity; (2) the FSPCM presented outstanding stability without any chemical reactions, and the liquid leakage was completely solved by using WF/HDPE as the secondary encapsulation material; (3) the TES composites possess considerable energy storage capacity and temperature-regulating ability; (4) the satisfying TES performance and acceptable mechanical strength indicated that the TES composites could be used as building material for energy conversation. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.