Experimental study on solid–solid phase change properties of pentaerythritol (PE)/nano-AlN composite for thermal storage

• Nano-AlN was proposed as the nucleating agent for solid–solid phase change material Pentaerythritol (PE).
• PE/3 wt% nano-AlN composite was prepared.
• The composite PCM has a higher crystallization rate and negligible supercooling.
• Solid–solid phase change temperature and latent heat are 182.4 °C and 222.5 J/g for the composite.

Pentaerythritol (PE) is a kind of solid–solid phase change materials with high latent heat. To improve its performances of crystallization and phase change, nano-AlN particles were physically mixed into PE as nucleating agent. The PE/3 wt% nano-AlN composite and pure PE were characterized using FT-IR and SEM analysis technique. Thermal properties and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the composite PCM were determined by DSC analysis. The solid–solid phase change processes of PE/3 wt% nano-AlN composite and pure PE were experimental investigated. The results showed that the addition of nano-AlN can accelerate the crystallization rate and reduce the supercooling degree of PE during cooling process.