Emerging paraffin/carbon-coated nanoscroll composite phase change material for thermal energy storage

Abstract Thermal energy storage using phase change materials is considered as a significant strategy for relieving the energy crisis. Herein an emerging paraffin-based composite form-stable phase change material (FSPCM) was fabricated using carbon-coated nanoscroll (CAN) as supporting material prepared via in-situ carbonizing the delaminated kaolinite (Kaol). The effect of carbonization temperature on the thermal performance of composite FSPCM was investigated. The samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, DSC, XPS, SEM, TEM, TG, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results indicated that the pore properties of the exfoliated and carbonized Kaol significantly increased, which was beneficial to the high loading and leakage-proof. The optimum paraffin content of CAN composite FSPCMs without leakage is 60.63%, 63.14%, and 59.99% for calcination at 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C, respectively. Paraffin/CAN composite FSPCMs have the phase temperatures of 51–58 °C and high latent heat of 123–142 J/g. Compared with pure paraffin, the thermal conductivities of paraffin/CAN composite FSPCMs were increased by 1.98, 1.92, and 2.01 times for calcination at 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C, respectively. The composite FSPCMs exhibit excellent thermal and chemical stability after 1000 thermal cycles, indicating that paraffin/CAN composite FSPCMs have excellent potential in the solar energy storage system.