Effect of porous carbon on thermal and physical properties of composite pure alkane/expanded vermiculite phase change energy storage materials

Nine kinds of mixed N-alkanes with different proportions were prepared by mixed eutectic method. A set of ratios with enthalpy values up to 289.8 J/g were selected for encapsulated PCM. Using potato starch solution with a concentration of 30 % as porous carbon source, the heat transfer capacity of expanded vermiculite was enhanced by modification between expanded vermiculite channels, and matrix coated phase change material was prepared. SEM images show that the PCM are successfully adsorbed in the pores. The latent heat and temperature of phase change in the melting and solidification process are 208.1 J/g and 21.2 °C, 203.11 J/g and −3.4 °C, respectively. FT-IR, XRD, TGA and thermal cycling test results show that phase change energy storage particles have good thermal performance. Therefore, the prepared materials have excellent properties. • A group of PCM with high enthalpy was prepared. • Porous carbon is modified between expanded vermiculite layers to improve the thermal conductivity of raw materials. • Porous carbon was modified between expanded vermiculite layers can improve encapsulation rate.