Work

Earth Alkali Oxalates for Heat Storage: Linking Crystal Structure to (Ir)reversible (De)hydration

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide A promising candidate for thermochemical energy storage (TCES) is calcium oxalate. As calcium oxalate is part of the earth alkali oxalate group, other earth alkali oxalates such as magnesium oxalate, strontium oxalate, and barium oxalate are investigated for their applicability in thermochemical energy storage. It is observed that only calcium oxalate shows reversible (de)hydration behavior whereas as magnesium oxalate, strontium oxalate, and barium oxalate show irreversible behavior; rehydration is not possible. The irreversible behavior is linked to the crystal structures of the materials. Calcium oxalate remains in an open structure during dehydration whereas magnesium oxalate, strontium oxalate, and barium oxalate transition into dense network structures, hindering the access of water vapor into the material. This work opens the horizon to explore other metal oxalates and find a solution to the irreversibility challenges addressed in this work.

Source: Crystal Growth & Design

DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.5c00150

Authors: Joey Aarts, Caroline Kirk, Olaf Adan, Henk Huinink

Institutions: Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Edinburgh

Language: English

Topic: Adsorption and Cooling Systems

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: TKI Urban Energy