Characterization of phase-changing materials as stabilized thermal energy storage in impregnated biomaterial

Abstract

In recent years, impregnation of biomaterial (wood veneers) with eutectic phase change materials (PCM) has been investigated to increase the thermal capacity of bio-based materials, which significantly affects the thermal capacity, especially in building applications requiring low heat. In this study, four eutectic phase change materials were prepared using three different fatty acids and impregnated on two wood veneers (oak and ash). The structural characterization of the prepared eutectic mixtures was examined using FT-IR, while the morphological properties of the wood veneers were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal performance was analyzed via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and their thermo-mechanical properties by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Additionally, the thermal conductivity (k values) was determined. From the results obtained, it was possible to prepare eutectic mixtures with melting temperatures around 30 degrees C with heat capacities up to 225.5 J/g. It was also generally determined that eutectic PCM, prepared from mixtures of lauric acid and palmitic acid, have lower thermal conductivity but show higher storage and loss modulus for the wood coatings leading to a balance between mechanical and thermal properties.