Investigation on Thermal Properties of AL2O3 Based Phase Change Material Composite for Solar Thermal System Application

Sustainable Development Goal and Paris Agreement are guidelines provided by the global community for a better future. One of the ways is through the utilization of solar energy. But solar energy is plagued by unpredictable energy delivery, which can be solved through latent heat energy storage system. In this study, a phase change material (A70) composite with 0.1% wt Al 2 O 3 is prepared using probe sonication. The composite is characterized through Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and UV-VIS-NIR spectrometer. The DSC showed a 5.02% decrease in the value of latent heat while the composite was thermally stable for the temperature range 30 °C to 200 °C where majority of domestic solar application lies. The composite and pure A70 may be useful for thermal system application where indirect heat absorption like heat exchangers, heat sinks, photovoltaic thermal and concentrated photovoltaic thermal system.