Preparation, thermal and flammability properties of a novel form-stable phase change materials based on high density polyethylene/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/organophilic montmorillonite nanocomposites/paraffin compounds

Abstract The paraffin is one of important thermal energy storage materials with many desirable characteristics (i.e., high heat of fusion, varied phase change temperature, negligible supercooling, self-nucleating, no phase segregation and cheap, etc.), but has low thermal stability and flammable. Hence, a novel form-stable phase change materials (PCM) based on high density polyethylene (HDPE)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)/organophilic montmorillonite (OMT) nanocomposites and paraffin are prepared by twin-screw extruder technique. The structures of the HDPE–EVA/OMT nanocomposites and the form-stable PCM are evidenced by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The results of XRD and TEM show that the HDPE–EVA/OMT nanocomposites form the ordered intercalated nanomorphology. The form-stable PCM consists of the paraffin, which acts as a dispersed phase change material and the HDPE–EVA/OMT nanocomposites, which acts as the supporting material. The paraffin disperses in the three-dimensional net structure formed by HDPE–EVA/OMT nanocomposites. The thermal stability, latent heat and flammability properties are characterized by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), dynamic Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and cone calorimeter, respectively. The TGA and dynamic FTIR analyses indicate that the incorporation of suitable amount of OMT into the form-stable PCM increase the thermal stability. The DSC results show that the latent heat of the form-stable PCM has a certain degree decrease. The cone calorimeter shows that the heat release rate (HRR) has remarkably decreases with loading of OMT in the form-stable PCM, contributing to the improved flammability properties.

[1]  Min Xiao,et al.  Thermal performance of a high conductive shape-stabilized thermal storage material , 2001 .

[2]  A. Karim,et al.  Phase Behavior of PS - PVME Nanocomposites , 2004 .

[3]  M. Bousmina,et al.  Role of organically modified layered silicate as an active interfacial modifier in immiscible polystyrene/polypropylene blends , 2004 .

[4]  Ye Hong,et al.  Preparation of polyethylene–paraffin compound as a form-stable solid-liquid phase change material , 2000 .

[5]  B. Qu,et al.  Dynamic FTIR studies of thermo-oxidation of expandable graphite-based halogen-free flame retardant LLDPE blends , 2001 .

[6]  Chang Hyung Lee,et al.  Crystalline morphology in high‐density polyethylene/paraffin blend for thermal energy storage , 1998 .

[7]  Xin Wang,et al.  Influence of additives on thermal conductivity of shape-stabilized phase change material , 2006 .

[8]  Yuan Hu,et al.  Influence of gamma irradiation on high density polyethylene/ethylene‐vinyl acetate/clay nanocomposites , 2004 .

[9]  S. M. Hasnain.  Review on sustainable thermal energy storage technologies, Part I: heat storage materials and techniques , 1998 .

[10]  Yinping Zhang.  Preparation, Thermal Performance, and Application of Shape-stabilized PCM in Energy Efficient Buildings , 2004 .

[11]  Min Xiao,et al.  Preparation and performance of shape stabilized phase change thermal storage materials with high thermal conductivity , 2002 .

[12]  Jeffrey W. Gilman,et al.  Flammability and thermal stability studies of polymer layered-silicate (clay) nanocomposites , 1999 .

[13]  Q. Fu,et al.  Compatibilization of Immiscible Poly(propylene)/Polystyrene Blends Using Clay , 2003 .

[14]  Mohammed M. Farid,et al.  Underfloor heating with latent heat storage , 2001 .

[15]  D. Feldman,et al.  Absorption of phase change materials in concrete , 1992 .

[16]  Lu Zhang,et al.  RETRACTED: Preparation and thermal properties of form stable paraffin phase change material encapsulation , 2006 .

[17]  R. Mülhaupt,et al.  Synthesis and thermal behaviour of layered silicate-EVA nanocomposites , 2001 .

[18]  Yuan Hu,et al.  Flammability and thermal properties of high density polyethylene/paraffin hybrid as a form‐stable phase change material , 2006 .

[19]  Yuan Hu,et al.  Preparation and flammability of high density polyethylene/paraffin/organophilic montmorillonite hybrids as a form stable phase change material , 2007 .

[20]  D. Feldman,et al.  Control aspects of latent heat storage and recovery in concrete , 2000 .

[21]  Zhengguo Zhang,et al.  Study on paraffin/expanded graphite composite phase change thermal energy storage material , 2006 .

[22]  Mingshu Yang,et al.  Mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of polyethylene/clay nanocomposites , 2005 .

[23]  C. A. Wilkie.  Fire retardancy of polymers , 2009 .

[24]  D. Feldman,et al.  Low chain esters of stearic acid as phase change materials for thermal energy storage in buildings , 1995 .

[25]  Ahmet Sarı,et al.  Form-stable paraffin/high density polyethylene composites as solid–liquid phase change material for thermal energy storage: preparation and thermal properties , 2004 .

[26]  Alan Fuchs,et al.  Polymeric phase change composites for thermal energy storage , 2004 .

[27]  M. Hadjieva,et al.  Composite salt-hydrate concrete system for building energy storage , 2000 .

[28]  Zhengguo Zhang,et al.  A novel montmorillonite-based composite phase change material and its applications in thermal storage building materials , 2006 .

[29]  Eric J. Amis,et al.  Influence of Layered Silicates on the Phase-Separated Morphology of PS−PVME Blends , 2003 .

[30]  Wei Xie,et al.  Thermal Degradation Chemistry of Alkyl Quaternary Ammonium Montmorillonite , 2001 .

[31]  D. Petridis,et al.  Emulsifying effect of dimethyldioctadecylammonium-hectorite in polystyrene/poly(ethyl methacrylate) blends , 2002 .