Sodium sulfate decahydrate/expanded graphite composite phase-change material (Na2SO4·10H2O/EG) was prepared by vacuum adsorption method.The thermal properties of Na2SO4·10H2O/EG,such as melting-solidification,phase separation,supercooling and latent heat were tested and analyzed.The results show that with the addition of 2%(mass fraction) borax and 8% EG,the composite phase-change materials Na2SO4·10H2O/EG obtain ideal properties.The phase separation is eliminated,the supercooling degree of Na2SO4·10H2O is reduced from 13.6℃ to below 0.6℃,the latent heat and the energy storage density of the phase-change materials reach 225.77kJ·kg-1 and 218.09MJ·m-3 respectively.The thermal conductivity is also greatly improved.Compared with Na2SO4·10H2O with the addition of the nucleating agent borax only,the time for heat storage is shortened by 52.6%,and the time for heat release is shortened by 55.1%.Even after 500 times of rapid heating and cooling cycles,the performance of Na2SO4·10H2O/EG does not deteriorate.The novel composite phase-change material has better storage/exothermic properties.
