Abstract
This work reports the synthesis and characterisation of a core-shell n-octacosane@silica nano-encapsulated phase-change material obtained via interfacial hydrolysis and poly-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate in mini-emulsion. Silica has been used as the encapsulating material because of its thermal advantages relative to synthesised polymers. The material presents excellent heat storage potential, with a measured latent heat varying between 57.1 and 89 kJ∙kg-1 (melting point between 58 and 64°C) and a small particle size (between ~565 and ~227 nm). Degradation of the n-octacosane core starts between 150 and 180°C. Also, the use of silica as shell material gives way to a heat conductivity of 0.796 W∙m-1∙K-1 (greater than that of nano-encapsulated materials with polymeric shell). Charge/discharge cycles have been successfully simulated at low pressure to prove the suitability of the nano-powder as phase-change material. Further investigations will be carried out in the future regarding the use of the synthesised material in thermal applications involving nanofluids.