A Simpler Fabrication for Thermal Energy Storage Wood

Abstract

Using thermal energy storage wood with phase change materials (PCM) as a building material can save thermal energy during heat-induced phase transition, and can reduce the energy consumption of indoor heating. In our work, three thermal energy storage poplars (TESPs: TESP-1, TESP-2 and TESP-3) were prepared by directly infiltrating three PCMs (fatty alcohol/acid materials: lauryl alcohol, decanoic acid and myristic acid myristyl ester), respectively, into the longitudinal-cutting plantation poplar woods and by directly encapsulating the PCMs in the poplar-based materials with SiO2 films. The phase-changing temperature ranges of TESP-1, TESP-2 and TESP-3 were at 19–30 °C, 26–39 °C and 33–54 °C, respectively. The phase-changing temperature peaks were at ~24 °C, ~31 °C and ~42 °C, respectively. After the same heat treatment on TESPs and original poplar (OP), the average temperature of TESPs was higher than that of OP after 35 min, thus proving that TESPs can save more thermal energy than OP. The radial bending strengths of TESP-1, TESP-2 and TESP-3 had increased by 50.85%, 70.16% and 70.31%, respectively, as compared to with that of OP. Additionally, the radial bending elastic modules of TESP-1, TESP-2 and TESP-3 had increased by 47.14%, 67.38% and 74.57%, respectively, as compared to OP. The tangential section hardness of the TESPs also had also increased by 67.09%, 71.80% and 80.77%, respectively. These improved mechanical properties of TESPs are almost close to that of ash wood (ash wood is a common building material), therefore, this proves that our TESPs can be used as thermal energy-saving building materials.