Synthesis and characterization of salt-impregnated anodic aluminum oxide composites for low-grade heat storage

Thermochemical heat storage (THS) systems have recently attracted a lot of attention in research and development. In this study, an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template, fabricated by a two-step anodization method, was used for the first time as the matrix material for a THS system. Different salts were studied as thermochemical materials for their suitability in low-grade heat storage application driven by solar energy for an open system. Compositions were prepared by absorbing CaCl2, MgCl2, LiCl, LiNO3 and mixtures of these salts under a vacuum in an AAO matrix. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the produced AAO composites. Thermal energy storage capacities of the composites were characterized using a differential scanning calorimeter. Characterization analysis showed that anodized Al plates were suitable matrix materials for THS systems, and composite sorbent prepared with a 1:1 ratio LiCl/LiNO3 salt mixture had the highest energy value among all composites, with an energy density of 468.1 kJ center dot kg(-1).