Fabrication and characterization of phase change material-SiO2 nanocomposite for thermal energy storage in buildings

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs), which can absorb or release large latent heat over a defined temperature range while the phase transition occurs, have achieved huge attention due to the environmental concerns and energy crisis. In recent years, phase change material nanocomposites are extensively used in thermal energy storage and energy management. Here, a shape-stabilised PCM nanocomposite, consisting n-hetadecane as a PCM and SiO2 nanoparticles as a supportive material was successfully prepared using an impregnation method with different mass fraction of PCM. The formation of n-heptadecane-SiO2 nanocomposite was approved using X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and SEM studies. The melting and freezing latent heats of the nanocomposite reached 123.8 and 120.9 J/g, respectively, and the mass loading percentage of n-hetadecane in the nanocomposite which was estimated using DSC was about 54.6 wt.%. The resulting nanocomposite possessed excellent thermal cycling reliability and its thermal conductivity was also improved compared to pure n-heptadecane. Additionally, Gypsum composite board containing n-hetadecane-SiO2 nanocomposite showed acceptable temperature control performance compared to ordinary gypsum board and hence, the obtained nanocomposite can be suitable for storing thermal energy and indoor temperature regulation in the buildings.