Development of novel phase change materials based on methyl laurate and fatty acids for low-temperature applications

ABSTRACT

In response to the urgent need for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) in the cryogenic field and the utilization of renewable energy sources, three novel eutectic phase change materials (PCMs) have been successfully developed. These materials, methyl laurate (ML)/lauric acid (LA), methyl laurate/myristic acid (MA), and methyl laurate/palmitic acid (PA), belong to the eutectic system of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and fatty acid. With a specific composition, these binary mixtures have desired melting temperatures, high melting enthalpy, and stable thermal performance. The phase diagrams of the eutectics were analyzed to obtain precise eutectic mass ratios. Theoretical predictions of the eutectic mass ratios and thermal properties were validated and determined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the hot-disk method. The ML-LA, ML-MA, and ML-PA mixtures had onset melting temperatures of 4.19°C, 5.45°C, and 5.69°C, respectively, with corresponding enthalpy of fusion values of 185.43, 190.47, and 194.39 J/g. The cycling stability test results showed that these mixtures had good thermal stability. The thermophysical properties and molecular structure of the mixtures were analyzed, indicating that these new mixtures of ML and fatty acids are suitable for low-temperature LHTES applications such as cold compresses and thermal-regulating textiles. This study provides insight into developing new PCMs that can meet the demand for LHTES in the cryogenic field and the utilization of renewable energy sources.

KEYWORDS:

• Biobased
• eutectic
• energy storage systems
• fatty acid esters
• methyl laurate
• molecular structure

Abbreviations

The following acronyms are used in this text:	=
DSC	=	Differential Scanning Calorimetry
FAE	=	Fatty Acid Esters
FAME	=	Fatty Acid Methyl Esters
LHTES	=	Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage
LA	=	Lauric Acid
MA	=	Myristic Acid
ML	=	Methyl Laurate
MP	=	Methyl Palmitate
PA	=	Palmitic Acid
PCM	=	Phase Change Material

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for financial support (Grant No.51890891 and No.51890894) and the Scientific and Technological Innovation Foundation of Foshan (Grant No. BK20AE002).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [51890891]

Notes on contributors

Zifeng Ma

Zifeng Ma is a graduate student of University of Science and Technology of Beijing. His work focuses specifically on the Phase Change Materials and Energy Storage Technology.

Kai Yue

Kai Yue is a professor of University of Science and Technology of Beijing. Her work focuses specifically on the Phase Change Materials and Energy Storage Technology.

Zhihan Yao

Zhihan Yao is a undergraduate student of University of Science and Technology of Beijing. Her major is energy and power engineering.

Xinxin Zhang

Xinxin Zhang is a professor of University of Science and Technology of Beijing. His work focuses specifically on the thermophysical testing science and technology, and biological heat transfer.