Effect of pre-treatment methods on natural raw materials-based phase change material composites for building applications

This study focuses on the effect of pre-treatment methods of natural raw materials to the properties of diatomite or sepiolite-based heptadecane composites for building applications. In order to see the effects of different pre-treatment methods, the composites were prepared using impregnation method without pre-treatment, with microwave treatment and calcination treatment of raw materials before compounding. Chemical (FTIR), morphological (SEM) and thermal (DSC) analysis results showed that shapestabilized diatomite- and sepiolite-based hexadecane composites were successfully prepared by impregnation method.