Form-Stable Phase Change Materials with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity Based on Binary Capric-Palmitic Acid and Graphite Carbon In Situ Modified Expanded Perlite

Phase change materials (PCMs) have broad application prospects in energy-saving buildings. Herein, this is the first report to realize the in situ modified expanded perlite (MEP) of graphitized carbon through metal catalysis-anaerobic carbonization. Simultaneously, capric-palmitic acid (CA-PA) PCMs, which possess ideal phase change enthalpy and a phase change temperature (Tpc) suitable for human life, were prepared with good temperature regulation ability in the temperature range of 20–30 °C. A series of MEP/CA-PA form-stable PCMs (FS-PCMs) based on CA-PA PCMs and MEP were prepared, and their Tpc values were suitable for human comfort and also had good heat storage/release capabilities. Also, compared with EP/CA-PA FS-PCMs, the thermal conductivity of MEP/CA-PA FS-PCMs was significantly enhanced. Overall, this work promotes the potential applications of MEP/CA-PA FS-PCMs in energy-saving buildings and provides a strategy for enhancing the thermal conductivity of FS-PCMs.