Synthesis of Phase Change Materials Based on Parafin/Graphite with HDPE/PLA as Matrix

Abstract

A Phase Changing Material with the capability of storing latent heat absorbed from external sources was investigated. It was composed of paraffin-graphite with a polylactic acid (PLA). According to the results of the characteristic test of composite materials for phase change materials, mixing paraffin and graphite produced an absorption peak of 727.16 cm-1 due to the-CH2 functional group in high-density polyethylene (HDPE), an absorption peak of 1460.11 cm-1 and 1361.74 cm-1 due to the functional group –CH in paraffin, an absorption peak of 1755.2 cm-1 due to the functional group C=O in PLA, and an absorption peak of 2915 cm-1 due to the functional X-Ray Diffraction (X-RD) analysis revealed the presence of paraffin crystals at 2.213682. As can be seen from the resulting image, the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test sample 2 with an HDPE: PLA ratio of 2.9: 4.25 has an excellent morphology. Mixing at a ratio of 3.54:3.54 improves the material's matrix structure and forms stability up to 150 °C. Combining PLA and HDPE with a higher PLA content improves form stability, as more PLA functions as a matrix phase, supporting the HDPE dispersion phase at 150 °C. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) test sample 2 with a ratio of HDPE: PLA of 2.9: 4.25 produced the best results with a weight loss of 2.203 mg and a temperature difference of 111.58 °C between the onset and endset temperatures.