Compounds with Epoxy Resins and Phase Change Materials for Storage in Solar Applications

Abstract

Composite materials have great potential for growth due to their excellent properties and their multiple applications. The study of the thermal properties of the new composites resulting from the combination of epoxy resin and phase change materials (PCM), as well as thickening agents and thermally conductive compounds, was the objective of this work. For this purpose, different samples were manufactured by combining epoxy resins, organic PCMs (paraffins), and aluminum particles. Several properties were analyzed: thermal behavior (by differential scanning calorimetry technique), hardness, etc. To carry out this analysis, parameters of PCM quantity and metallic particles in the composition were varied. The results showed that the epoxy resin acted as a matrix containing the rest of the components and encapsulating the PCM. The organic PCM showed reversibility when subjected to multiple cycles. The enthalpy of the organic PCM–resin compound varied linearly according to the PCM content in the sample. For the content of this material in the samples to reach up to 40%, the use of thickening agents was necessary. The use of metallic particles improved the conductivity of the composites even while maintaining a low percentage by weight of metallic particles. Thermal simulations of the composite in bottom-coating a photovoltaic panel estimated a reduction of several degrees Celsius, showing the potential use of the PCM–epoxy resin for improving the energy production of such panels.

Effect of Phase-Change Materials on Laboratory-Made Insoles: Analysis of Environmental Conditions

“…The results underline the potential use of PCM to control heat exchange within commercial insoles and the use of epoxy resins as a material to control heat exchange [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. There are few references to PCM in the context of footwear [ 30 , 31 ] in which different materials are employed for heat control.…”

Ion–Conducting Ceramic Membrane Reactors for the Conversion of Chemicals

“…Solar thermo processes have been proposed as a promising solution to this challenge. For example, the current dish–type solar thermal system can achieve a thermal–to–electric conversion efficiency of 75%; however, the average photoelectric conversion efficiency of current commercial photovoltaic components is only about 15% [ 157 ]. Additionally, using solar thermal energy to drive the hydrogen production process can store low–energy–density solar energy in high–energy–density and green hydrogen.…”