Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material Using Sugar Alcohol and Polysaccharide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phase change materials for thermal energy storage often experience volume changes during phase transitions and are not biodegradable, posing challenges for long-term and multi-cycle storage, as well as disposal.
Innovation Solution
A phase change material is developed with a 50:50 to 90:10 weight ratio of sugar alcohol to polysaccharide, specifically using sugar alcohols like dulcitol and polysaccharides like starch, which form hydrogen bonds to stabilize shape and facilitate solid-solid phase transitions, allowing for long-term and multi-cycle thermal energy storage without volume change, using a method involving dispersion, gelation, and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional phase change materials are used for thermal energy storage, then high latent heat of phase transition is achieved, but volume changes during phase transitions occur and shape stability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining sugar alcohol (phase change material) with polysaccharide (stabilizing matrix) to create a form-stable composite. The polysaccharide matrix provides structural support that prevents volume expansion during phase transition, while the sugar alcohol maintains its high latent heat properties for thermal energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous structure where the polysaccharide matrix and sugar alcohol phases have distinct local properties. The polysaccharide regions provide shape stability and structural integrity, while the sugar alcohol regions provide phase change functionality and latent heat storage, with each component optimized for its specific role.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional phase change materials are used for thermal energy storage, then high latent heat of phase transition is achieved, but the materials are not biodegradable and pose disposal challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs biodegradable polysaccharide (such as starch) as the stabilizing matrix, which is environmentally friendly and can decompose naturally after use. This replaces conventional non-biodegradable stabilizers, allowing the phase change material to maintain its shape stability functionality while being environmentally sustainable and suitable for disposable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting biodegradable polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, chitosan) as the stabilizing matrix instead of conventional synthetic polymers. This parameter change maintains the functional performance of shape stabilization while improving the environmental compatibility and biodegradability of the overall phase change material system.
3Quantity of substance
If sugar alcohol is used as phase change material, then high latent heat is achieved, but volume changes during solid-liquid phase transition occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by designing a system where the sugar alcohol undergoes solid-liquid phase change for thermal energy storage, while the polysaccharide matrix remains in a stable solid state. The matrix's structural stability compensates for the volume expansion of sugar alcohol during melting, effectively suppressing overall volume change while maintaining the phase change functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies the counterweight principle by using the rigid polysaccharide matrix structure to counterbalance and compensate for the volume expansion of sugar alcohol during phase transition. The matrix acts as a constraining framework that provides an opposing force to the expansion tendency, maintaining overall dimensional stability of the composite material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting material achieves stable thermal energy storage through solid-solid phase transitions, enabling efficient and sustainable thermal energy management with reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A phase change material with shape stabilisation containing a sugar alcohol and a polysaccharide... form hydrogen bonds to stabilize shape
Implementation Method 2
enabling efficient and sustainable thermal energy management through solid-solid phase transitions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a phase change material with shape stabilisation containing a sugar alcohol and a polysaccharide in a weight ratio of 50:50 to 90: 10. The subject matter of the invention is a method for producing the above-defined phase change material with shape stabilisation comprising the following steps: a) producing a dispersion of a polysaccharide, a sugar alcohol and a solvent by mixing the polysaccharide, the sugar alcohol and the solvent and heating to a temperature in the range of 50°C to 90°C, wherein the weight ratio of the sugar alcohol to the polysaccharide in the dispersion is in the range of 50:50 to 90: 10 and the combined concentration of the sugar alcohol and the polysaccharide in the dispersion is a maximum of 5%; b) maintaining the dispersion produced in step a), with stirring, at the temperature used in step a) for 10 to 20 minutes to produce gel; and c) drying the gel obtained in step b). The subject matter of the invention is also use of a phase change material with shape stabilisation, containing a sugar alcohol and a polysaccharide in a weight ratio ranging from 50:50 to 90:10, for thermal energy storage.