Preparation, Characterization and Thermal Properties of Paraffin Wax - Expanded Perlite Form-Stable Composites for Latent Heat Storage

In this study, form-stable composite phase change materials (PCM) for latent heat storage were prepared by impregnating paraffin wax into the pores of the expanded perlite (EP). The characterization of the composite PCMs was performed by FTIR, TGA, SEM and DSC analysis. The melting point and heat of fusion were determined for 25 % paraffin included composite, as 54.3 degrees C and 94.71 J/g and for 45 % paraffin included composite as 53.6 degrees C and 106.69 J/g, respectively. The FTIR results showed that there was no chemical reaction between the perlite and paraffin. TGA analysis indicated that both composite PCMs had good thermal stability. SEM images showed that the paraffin was dispersed uniformly into the pores and on the EP surface. There was no leakage and degradation at the composite PCMs after heating and cooling cycles. According to the results, both prepared composites showed good thermal energy storage properties, reliability and stability. All results suggested that the presented form-stable composite PCMs has great potential for thermal energy storage applications.