Research demonstrates enhanced thermal conductivity in phase change materials with magnetite in polyethylene glycol, suggesting efficient energy use in buildings.
Thermal management technology is a crucial strategy for reducing energy consumption in buildings by utilizing stored solar energy. This study developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based phase-change material (PCM), selected for its superior physicochemical stability, high latent enthalpy, and environmental compatibility. To enhance thermal conductivity, 20 vol% magnetite (Fe₃O₄) was incorporated into the PEG matrix. The composite was synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted method (37 kHz, 80°C, 1 h). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystalline structure of PEG and the cubic phase of Fe3O4, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated the synthesis by identifying Fe–O, C–H, and O–H functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a homogeneous dispersion of Fe3O4, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the elemental composition of C, H, O, and Fe. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) demonstrated superparamagnetic behavior, with a saturation magnetization of 16.76 emu∙g‒1. Thermal analysis indicated a 49% increase in thermal conductivity, a latent heat of 78.88 J∙g‒1, and a melting temperature of 61.51℃. These findings underscore the potential of Fe3O4-enhanced PEG-based PCMs for efficient thermal regulation in buildings, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability.
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Fauzi et al. (2025) studied this question.
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