Thermal energy storage using composite phase change materials with molten salt particles encapsulated/ceramic composite by sol-gel method.

In this paper, a new molten salt/ceramic composite phase change thermal storage material was prepared by sol-gel method and powder compacting method. The surface of molten salt particles was encapsulated with SiO₂ or TiO₂ by sol-gel method, then the molten salt particles were combined with MgO to prepare composite phase change thermal storage materials. By this method, the density of the composite increased by 8.74%, the thermal conductivity increased by 16.27%, after high-temperature heat. The decline of the heat loss rate was only 2.67%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]