The effect of surface area on the properties of shape-stabilized phase change material prepared using palm kernel shell activated carbon.

The effect of the surface area of palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC) on the properties of n-octadecane-encapsulated shape stabilized phase change material (SSPCM) for thermal energy storage (TES) application were studied. Various surface areas of the PKSAC were prepared using different amounts of HPO treatment given to palm kernel shells from 0, 5, 10, 30 and 40% before the activation. The impregnation of n-octadecane into the different surface areas of PKSACs produced SSPCMs with different physico-chemical characteristics.

Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon as an Inorganic Framework for Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material.

The preparation of activated carbon using palm kernel shells as the precursor (PKSAC) was successfully accomplished after the parametric optimization of the carbonization temperature, carbonization holding time, and the ratio of the activator (H₃PO₄) to the precursor. Optimization at 500 °C for 2 h of carbonization with 20% H₃PO₄ resulted in the highest surface area of the activated carbon (C20) of 1169 m² g and, with an average pore size of 27 Å. Subsequently, the preparation of shape-stabilized phase change material (SSPCM-C20) was done by the encapsulation of n-octadecane into the pores of the PKSAC, C20.