Synthesis and thermal energy storage properties of ethylene dilauroyl, dimyristoyl, and dipalmitoyl amides as novel solid–liquid phase change materials

Ethylene dilauroyl, dimyristoyl, and dipalmitoyl amides were synthesized as novel solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs) via condensation of ethylene diamine with the respective carboxyl chlorides (lauroyl chloride, myristoyl chloride, and palmytoyl chloride). The synthesized ethylene dilauroyl amide (EDLA), ethylene dimyristoyl amide (EDMA), and ethylene dipalmytoyl amide (EDPA) were characterized structurally by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy techniques. Latent heats of melting and freezing determined using DSC technique were found to be 127.83 and −118.30 J/g for EDLA, 129.95 and −132.40 J/g for EDMA, and 150.66 and −145.22 J/g for EDPA, respectively. Phase change temperatures of these PCMs were ranged between 38.5 and 52.5 °C. The synthesized PCMs were tested for durability by accelerated thermal cyclings including 1000 melting/freezing cycles. Besides the thermal endurance of the PCMs were determined by TG analysis. Based on the results it was concluded that EDLA, EDMA, and EDPA compounds synthesized as novel solid–liquid PCMs have considerable amount of thermal energy storage potential in terms of suitable phase change temperatures, high latent heats, thermal reliability, and thermal stability. Moreover, the other advantages of the synthesized PCMs over the fatty acids used are better odor, low corrosivity, and low sublimation rates.