Preparation and Thermal Properties of Novel Chloride Salts/Forsterite Composite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

  • LIU Wenyuan ,
  • LIU Hao ,
  • WANG Zhoufu ,
  • MA Yan ,
  • GU Jianming ,
  • WANG Xitang
Expand
  • State Key Laboratory of Advanced Refractories, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China

Online published: 2025-07-04

Supported by

The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52372031).

Copyright

Science Press, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025

Abstract

The improvement of composite phase change materials in energy storage density and thermal conductivity is significant for the efficient use of energy. This study proposed novel composite materials based on forsterite with high specific heat as matrix materials, chloride salts (NaCl-KCl) with high latent heat as phase change materials and SiO2 nanoparticles as fillers. The results indicated that forsterite and chloride salts exhibited excellent chemical compatibility, and the composite materials containing 40% (in weight) chloride salts achieved an energy storage density of 882.5 J/g within the range of 100°C to 800°C, a latent heat of 108.1 J/g, and a thermal conductivity of 0.68–0.81 W/(m·K) at 300°C–500°C. Furthermore, the addition of SiO2 enhanced the thermal conductivity and energy storage density of composite materials due to the formation of unique nanostructures. More importantly, the removal of structural water during heat-treatment process resulted in the formation of micropores and increased specific surface area of forsterite particles, which facilitated the adsorption and stabilization of molten chloride salts. Combined with the stabilization effect of forsterite and synergistic effect of SiO2 nanoparticles, the obtained composite materials with 2.0% (in weight) SiO2 nanoparticles exhibited good thermal stability with 1.80% weight loss and 2.34% reduction in latent heat after 150 cycles, indicating a promising application in high-temperature thermal energy storage.

Cite this article

LIU Wenyuan , LIU Hao , WANG Zhoufu , MA Yan , GU Jianming , WANG Xitang . Preparation and Thermal Properties of Novel Chloride Salts/Forsterite Composite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2025 , 34(4) : 1211 -1222 . DOI: 10.1007/s11630-025-2167-5

References

[1] Assi A.F., Isiksal A.Z., Tursoy T., Renewable energy consumption, financial development, environmental pollution, and innovations in the ASEAN+3 group: Evidence from (P-ARDL) model. Renewable Energy, 2021, 165: 689–700.
[2] Zhao L., Wang J., Cui L., et al., Performance design of high-temperature chloride salts as thermal energy storage material. Journal of Thermal Science, 2024, 33(2): 479–490. 
[3] Miró L., Gasia J., Cabeza L.F., Thermal energy storage (TES) for industrial waste heat (IWH) recovery: A review. Applied Energy, 2016, 179: 284–301.
[4] Zhao B., Cheng M., Liu C., et al., Thermal performance and cost analysis of a multi-layered solid-PCM thermocline thermal energy storage for CSP tower plants. Applied Energy, 2016, 178: 784–799.
[5] Li G., Sensible heat thermal storage energy and exergy performance evaluations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 53: 897–923.
[6] Tao Y.B., He Y.L., A review of phase change material and performance enhancement method for latent heat storage system. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 93: 245–259.
[7] Yadav D., Banerjee R., A review of solar thermochemical processes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 54: 497–532.
[8] Wei X., Chen D., Zhang X., et al., Experimental and simulation study on enhancing thermal energy storage and heat transfer performance of ternary chloride eutectic salt by doping MgO nanoparticles. Journal of Thermal Science, 2024, 33(6): 2221–2234.
[9] Zhang T., Wang T., Wang K., et al., Development and characterization of NaCl-KCl/Kaolin composites for thermal energy storage. Solar Energy, 2021, 227: 468–476.
[10] Du L., Ding J., Tian H., et al., Thermal properties and thermal stability of the ternary eutectic salt NaCl-CaCl2-MgCl2 used in high-temperature thermal energy storage process. Applied Energy, 2017, 204: 1225–1230.
[11] Li Y., Xu X., Wang X., et al., Survey and evaluation of equations for thermophysical properties of binary/ternary eutectic salts from NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, ZnCl2 for heat transfer and thermal storage fluids in CSP. Solar Energy, 2017, 152: 57–79.
[12] Li C., Li Q., Lu X., et al., Inorganic salt based shape-stabilized composite phase change materials for medium and high temperature thermal energy storage: Ingredients selection, fabrication, microstructural characteristics and development, and applications. Journal of Energy Storage, 2022, 55: 105252. 
[13] Jiang Z., Palacios A., Zou B., et al., A review on the fabrication methods for structurally stabilised composite phase change materials and their impacts on the properties of materials. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2022, 159: 112134. 
[14] Liu R., Zhang F., Su W., et al., Impregnation of porous mullite with Na2SO4 phase change material for thermal energy storage. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2015, 134: 268–274.
[15] Sarbu I., Sebarchievici C., A comprehensive review of thermal energy storage. Sustainability, 2018, 10(1): 191.
[16] Jiang Z., Jiang F., Li C., et al., A form stable composite phase change material for thermal energy storage applications over 700°C. Applied Sciences, 2019, 9(5): 814.
[17] Sang L., Li F., Xu Y., Form-stable ternary carbonates/MgO composite material for high temperature thermal energy storage. Solar Energy, 2019, 180: 1–7.
[18] Jiang Y., Sun Y., Jacob R.D., et al., Novel Na2SO4-NaCl-ceramic composites as high temperature phase change materials for solar thermal power plants (Part I). Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2018, 178: 74–83.
[19] Zhu J., Li R., Zhou W., et al., Fabrication of Al2O3-NaCl composite heat storage materials by one-step synthesis method. Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed., 2016, 31: 950–954.
[20] Saberi A., Negahdari Z., Alinejad B., et al., Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline forsterite through citrate-nitrate route. Ceramics International, 2009, 35(4): 1705–1708.
[21] Xu X., Cheng T., Wu J., et al., Microstructure and properties of forsterite-zirconia composite ceramics for solar thermal storage. Ceramics International, 2024, 50(14): 25282–25292.
[22] Yu Q., Zhang C., Lu Y., et al., Comprehensive performance of composite phase change materials based on eutectic chloride with SiO2 nanoparticles and expanded graphite for thermal energy storage system. Renewable Energy, 2021, 172: 1120–1132.
[23] Xiong Y., Wang Z., Xu P., et al., Experimental investigation into the thermos-physical properties by dispersing nanoparticles to the nitrates. Energy Procedia, 2019, 158: 5551–5556.
[24] Lasfargues M., Geng Q., Cao H., et al., Mechanical dispersion of nanoparticles and its effect on the specific heat capacity of impure binary nitrate salt mixtures. Nanomaterials, 2015, 5(3): 1136–1146.
[25] Wu Y., Li J., Wang M., et al., Preparation and thermophysical properties of high thermal conductive solar salt/MWCNTs composite materials. ChemistrySelect, 2019, 4(15): 4521–4527.
[26] Chieruzzi M., Cerritelli G.F., Miliozzi A., et al., Heat capacity of nanofluids for solar energy storage produced by dispersing oxide nanoparticles in nitrate salt mixture directly at high temperature. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2017, 167: 60–69.
[27] Liu M., Severino J., Bruno F., et al., Experimental investigation of specific heat capacity improvement of a binary nitrate salt by addition of nanoparticles/microparticles. Journal of Energy Storage, 2019, 22: 137–143.
[28] Shin D., Banerjee D., Enhanced thermal properties of SiO2 nanocomposite for solar thermal energy storage applications. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2015, 84: 898–902.
[29] Hu Y., He Y., Zhang Z., et al., Enhanced heat capacity of binary nitrate eutectic salt-silica nanofluid for solar energy storage. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2019, 192: 94–102.
[30] Zhang L., Chen X., Wu Y., et al., Effect of nanoparticle dispersion on enhancing the specific heat capacity of quaternary nitrate for solar thermal energy storage application. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2016, 157: 808–813.
[31] Ho M.X., Pan C., Optimal concentration of alumina nanoparticles in molten Hitec salt to maximize its specific heat capacity. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2014, 70: 174–184.
[32] Shin D., Banerjee D., Enhancement of specific heat capacity of high-temperature silica-nanofluids synthesized in alkali chloride salt eutectics for solar thermal-energy storage applications. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2011, 54(5–6): 1064–1070.
[33] Tao Y.B., Lin C.H., He Y.L., Preparation and thermal properties characterization of carbonate salt/carbon nanomaterial composite phase change material. Energy Conversion and Management, 2015, 97: 103–110.
[34] Xiong Y., Wang H., Ren J., et al., Carbide slag recycling to fabricate shape-stable phase change composites for thermal energy storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 2023, 60: 106694.
[35] Feng L., Zhao W., Zheng J., et al., The shape-stabilized phase change materials composed of polyethylene glycol and various mesoporous matrices (AC, SBA-15 and MCM-41). Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2011, 95(12): 3550–3556.
[36] Ge Z., Ye F., Ding Y., Composite materials for thermal energy storage: enhancing performance through microstructures. ChemSusChem, 2014, 7(5): 1318–1325.
[37] Leng G., Qiao G., Jiang Z., et al., Micro encapsulated & form-stable phase change materials for high temperature thermal energy storage. Applied Energy, 2018, 217: 212–220.
[38] Hou Y., Qiu J., Wang W., et al., Preparation and performance improvement of chlorides/MgO ceramics shape-stabilized phase change materials with expanded graphite for thermal energy storage system. Applied Energy, 2022, 316: 119116.
[39] Notter W., Lechner T., Groß U., et al., Thermophysical properties of the composite ceramic-salt system (SiO2/Na2SO4). Thermochimica Acta, 1993, 218: 455–463.
[40] Qin Y., Leng G., Yu X., et al., Sodium sulfate-diatomite composite materials for high temperature thermal energy storage. Powder Technology, 2015, 282: 37–42.
[41] Song W., Lu Y., Wu Y., et al., Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on specific heat capacity of low-melting-point eutectic quaternary nitrate salt. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2018, 179: 66–71.
[42] Shin D., Banerjee D., Specific heat of nanofluids synthesized by dispersing alumina nanoparticles in alkali salt eutectic. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2014, 74: 210–214.
[43] Li C., Li Q., Cong L., et al., Carbonate salt based composite phase change materials for medium and high temperature thermal energy storage: A microstructural study. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2019, 196: 25–35.
[44] Wang B.X., Zhou L.P., Peng X.F., Surface and size effects on the specific heat capacity of nanoparticles. International Journal of Thermophysics, 2006, 27: 139–151.
[45] Wang L., Tan Z., Meng S., et al., Enhancement of molar heat capacity of nanostructured Al2O3. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2001, 3: 483–487.
[46] Zhang Z., Yuan Y., Ouyang L., et al., Enhanced thermal properties of Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 nanofluids with nanoalumina for heat transfer in high-temperature CSP systems. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2017, 128: 1783–1792.
[47] Xu G., Leng G., Yang C., et al., Sodium nitrate-diatomite composite materials for thermal energy storage. Solar Energy, 2017, 146: 494–502.
[48] Yao X., Chang Y., Gu H., et al., Preparation and thermophysical properties of a novel metallic microencapsulated phase change material/eutectic salt/ceramic composite. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 477: 146967.
[49] Ran X., Wang H., Zhong Y., et al., Thermal properties of eutectic salts/ceramics/expanded graphite composite phase change materials for high-temperature thermal energy storage. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2021, 225: 111047.
Outlines

/