Thermal property and latent heat energy storage behavior of sodium acetate trihydrate composites containing expanded graphite and carboxymethyl cellulose for phase change materials

Sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT) composites containing expanded graphite (EG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were prepared using different concentrations of EG and CMC to address challenges concerning phase segregation, aggregation of EG, and supercooling. The effects of EG (as the nucleating agent) and CMC (as the thickening agent) on the thermal properties, latent heat, and thermal cycling stability of the SAT composites as a phase change material (PCM) were then evaluated. The results confirmed that thermal conductivity increased as the concentration of EG and CMC increased. In particular, SAT composites containing 2.5 wt% EG and 5 wt% CMC exhibited a thermal conductivity of 1.85 W/mK. The latent heat of the SAT composites containing EG and CMC decreased as the concentration of EG and CMC increased.