Authors:
Lu Wang
1
;
Xiuwen Wu
2
;
Huanhuan Wang
1
;
Bingxu Hou
3
;
Can Cai
1
and
Jinlin Zhang
2
Affiliations:
1
School of Science, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China, School of Energy Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083 and PR China, China
;
2
School of Science, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083 and PR China, China
;
3
School of Science, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, PR China, School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083 and PR China, China
Keyword(s):
Thermochromism, Phase change materials, Visualising phase change phenomena, Ultraviolet absorption
Abstract:
Reversible thermochromic and phase change dual functional composites were synthesized with crystal violet lactone as the leuco dye, the mixture of stearic acid and decanoic acid as the developer and phase change materials, and cetyl alcohol as the solvent by a process of grinding, mixing, stirring and heating. The samples have a well reversible thermochromic and phase change properties. The enthalpies reached up to about 200 J/g. The phase change temperatures and color change temperatures are about 40°C – 50°C. The absolute differences between the phase change temperatures and color change temperatures of the optimum samples were ≤1.92°C, meaning that to visualise phase change phenomena with a colour indicator is feasible. The samples also exhibited an excellent ultraviolet absorption property, meaning they could be used in ultraviolet protection aspect besides using as the phase change materials and colour indicators.