Fabrication and thermal energy storage properties of coconut oil/expanded perlite as a form-stable phase change material

Khamooshi, Arezu; Najafi Kani, Ebrahim; Noghrezad, Vahid

doi:10.22075/jhmtr.2026.37733.1747

Fabrication and thermal energy storage properties of coconut oil/expanded perlite as a form-stable phase change material

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Length Research Article

Authors

Arezu Khamooshi

Ebrahim Najafi Kani

Vahid Noghrezad

Faculty of Chemical, Petroleum, and Gas Engineering, Semnan University, 35196-45399, Semnan, Iran

10.22075/jhmtr.2026.37733.1747

Abstract

This study focused on creating a form-stable phase change material (PCM) by impregnating coconut oil into the porous structure of expanded perlite with a defined particle size, utilizing a free adsorption method. Unlike many reported fatty acid–based form-stable PCMs, this study demonstrates that expanded perlite with an optimized particle size (0.1–1 mm) can stably retain up to 28 wt.% coconut oil using a simple free adsorption method, without vacuum assistance. To confirm its thermal reliability and chemical stability, the selected coconut oil/expanded perlite PCM underwent 100 melt/freeze cycles. The prepared PCM's characteristics and thermal energy storage capabilities were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Key findings from the DSC analysis revealed a melting temperature of 12.76°C and a latent heat of 24.62 J/g for the coconut oil/expanded perlite form-stable PCM. These results indicate that the proposed CtO/EP form-stable PCM offers a cost-effective, thermally reliable, and scalable solution for low-temperature thermal energy storage, with strong potential for practical applications in greenhouse climate regulation and cold-chain energy management.

Keywords

Form-stable PCM

Thermal Energy storage

Expanded perlite

Fatty acid

Subjects