Summary

Based on Na2HPO4 center dot 12H(2)O as phase change material (PCM) and SiO2 hydrophilic modified expanded graphite (MEG) as supporting carrier and thermal conductivity enhancer, a novel Na2HPO4 center dot 12H(2)O/MEG form-stable composite PCM (CPCM) for radiant floor heating system was fabricated by physical mixing method. The SiO2 mass fraction in MEG and MEG content in CPCM were optimized. The adsorption performance of MEG on Na2HPO4 center dot 12H(2)O and morphology of MEG were systematically discussed. The shape stability, pore structure as well as thermal properties of the obtained CPCM were emphatically investigated. Experimental results showed that MEG containing 15% SiO2 possessed optimal hydrophilicity and adsorption capacity for Na2HPO4 center dot 12H(2)O. With MEG mass fraction of 20%, the CPCM exhibited suitable phase change temperature (33.52 degrees C), high phase change enthalpy (158.5 J/g), low supercooling degree (2.29 degrees C) as well as favorable thermal conductivity (1.077 W/m.K), along with the outstanding shape stability and thermal reliability. All these suggest that Na2HPO4 center dot 12H(2)O/MEG CPCM has great application potential in radiant floor heating system.

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