Preparation and characterization of paraffin/polyvinyl alcohol phase change fibers for energy storage

Using paraffin as the phase change material, and polyvinyl alcohol ( PVA) as the matrix, the energy storage fibers with a phase change material mass f raction 30 % were prepared by the wet spinning process. Structure
and phase change properties were characterized by scanning electron microscope, wide angle X-rays diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the paraffin as the islands is dispersed in the acetalized PVA fiber matrix, and the crystalline region account s for 34 % of the whole fibers. When the fibers are heat-drawn in 2～4 times , the heat efficiency varies f rom 81. 9 % to 71. 2 %, and af ter 25 times washing, the remaining heat efficiency is remarkable. The linear density, strength and initial modulus of the paraffin/ PVA fibers are 0. 62～0. 32 tex , 28.1～66. 2 N/ tex , 373～794 N/tex, respectively. The softening point in water is 108℃, which is suitable for textile use.