Preparation and characterization of shape-stable bio-based composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage: coconut oil / activated carbon from cherry stones doped composites

The new, bio-based, shape-stable, composite phase change materials (PCMs) were designed and characterized for thermal energy storage applications. Coconut oil (CO) as PCM was impregnated into activated carbon (AC)-doped porous polymer composite foam as a support material. Cherry stones (CHSs) were used as AC precursor and AC was obtained by carbonization under N2 atmosphere following the chemical activation with phosphoric acid (PA). The properties of CHSs and AC were determined by elemental analysis, Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron microscope (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) surface area measurements. AC-doped unsaturated polyester resin (UPR)-based composite matrix was prepared by high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating approach. The obtained macroporous composite PCM frameworks were fully characterized in terms of chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties and used as support materials for shape stabilization of CO. The composite PCMs were produced successfully and exhibited leak-proof properties. It was found that 5.0 wt% AC-doped composite PCM with a melting enthalpy of 42.92 J · g−1 and a melting temperature of 24.02°C has the highest thermal energy storage capacity. The designed low-cost, bio-based, composite PCMs have application potential for developing smart textile materials with thermo-regulating property.