A substantial portion of the energy produced in the world is consumed by buildings. In 2018, the energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings occupied about 40% (or about 40 quadrillion British thermal units) of total U.S. energy. Given rapidly growing global energy demand and the amount of nonrenewable fossil fuels required to meet such energy demand, enhancing the efficiency of energy consumption in buildings has become critically important. In this work, a lignin based biocomposite containing a phase change material (PCM) is presented. PCM can serve as a source to store and release thermal energy with its latent heat upon phase transition. Specifically, a paraffin based organic PCM, whose melting temperature ranges in room temperature, is confined in a lignin-based rigid polyurethane (RPU) foam. Lignin-RPU foam serves as a porous three-dimensional template with tens-of-micrometer pores that allow for the impregnation of PCM. A vacuum-assisted impregnation method is used for the incorporation of PCM into RPU. The formation of a PCM-containing biocomposite is confirmed by weight and density gain, visual inspection, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis quantifies the level of PCM incorporation in RPU. Compressive strength of the RPU with and without PCM is tested. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to estimate the amount of thermal energy that can be stored and released in the temperature range relevant to residential and commercial buildings. A custom-made test rig with heating and cooling sides separated by the PCM-RPU composite will evaluate the potential impact of the biocomposite on the thermal resistance, heat transfer, and energy-saving potential in buildings. With the combined experimental results, I will show that the PCM biocomposites have potential for serving as an energy management component in buildings.

Lignin based structural biocomposite containing organic phase change material for thermal energy management in buildings

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.