Preparation, Encapsulation and Thermal Properties of Fatty Acid/Expanded Graphite Composites as Shape-stabilized Phase Change Materials

Fatty acid/expanded graphite composites as shape-stabilized phase change materials were prepared through infiltration method by the eutectic mixture of capric acid (CA), lauric acid (LA) and palmitic acid (PA) as phase change materials, expanded graphite(EG) as skeleton, and the coating compound as membrane. N-2 adsorption curve and SEM images of expanded graphite and the composites indicate that expanded graphite has a loose porous structure and the eutectic mixture is effectively absorbed into its porous structure. DSC thermograms and thermal performance test show that the composites possess good phase change behavior and thermal cycling stability. The thermal conductivity of the composite material is significantly improved [up to 0. 738 W/(m . K)] due to the highly thermal conductive expanded graphite.