HomeResearchResearch linesEnergy and mechatronicsMaterials for Thermal Energy Storage

Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for Thermal Energy Storage

Principal investigator: Angela Gondolini
Involved personnel: Alessandra Sanson, Elisa Mercadelli

Phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used in thermal energy storage and management systems due to their high-energy storage density, high latent heat and their excellent thermal regulation capabilities. However, the major obstacles hindering the widespread applications of these materials involve their low thermal conductivity, high subcooling effect and easy leakage during the phase change process. Therefore, embedding the PCM in an appropriate porous thermal conductive matrix is advised to improve thermal properties and to avoid, at the same time, leakage during the phase change producing shape stabilized PCM (ss-PCM). The activity of CNR ISTEC is mainly devoted to the development of ss-PCM structures to maximize the specific heat and thermal stability of these systems.

Equipment and Processes

Synthesis and powder shaping processing, TG-DSC analysis

Class of Phase Change Materials (on the left) and schematic illustration of the shape stabilized PCM (on the right).
Class of Phase Change Materials (on the left) and schematic illustration of the shape stabilized PCM (on the right).

 

Main partners

Publications

  • A. Fasolini, A.Gondolini, E. Mercadelli, F. Basile, A. Sanson “High temperature phase change materials for reaction temperature control” Enerchem 2, 12-14 February 2020 – Padua, Italy Book of Abstract.