Speaker
Description
The development of polymer-based phase change materials (PCMs) with enhanced thermal performance is essential for advancing thermal energy storage technologies. This study investigates the effect of a ruthenium catalyst on the thermal behavior of polyamide 610 (PA610), focusing on its role in modifying both heat transfer and phase change characteristics. Catalyst-modified PA610 samples were prepared at varying loadings and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal conductivity measurements. The incorporation of the catalyst led to a noticeable enhancement in thermal conductivity, accompanied by a reduction in latent heat due to suppressed crystallinity. Despite this trade-off, thermal cycling tests revealed improved thermal stability at higher catalyst concentrations, with minimal degradation in enthalpy over multiple heating cycles. FTIR results supported structural modification through altered hydrogen bonding rather than the formation of new chemical functionalities. These findings demonstrate the potential of catalyst-assisted polymer modification as a viable strategy for tuning the thermal performance of PCMs, enabling application-specific optimization where conductivity and stability are prioritized.
