Development of PCM based packaging material for thermal buffering.

The temperature maintenance plays crucial role in storage and transportation of perishable materials. A new composite material containing PCM (phase change material) absorbed in activated charcoal, PCM-AC is developed for maintenance of constant temperature inside a paper box (as per ASTM standards). The composite is made by absorbing commercially available PCM, OM-21 (melting point, 23oC and latent heat of fusion 130 kJ.kg-1) over activated charcoal. DSC analysis of the composite indicates no variation in melting temperature i.e. 23oC while the latent heat of fusion becomes 56 kJ.kg-1. FTIR data shows no chemical interaction between activated charcoal and OM-21. The composite has been tested successfully to maintain temperature of 400g grapes inside a B-flute type corrugated box for 110 min. The mass of PCM-AC composite used was of 473g and was placed inside a bubble wrap liners along the inner wall of the box. The estimated cost of such box is ~3.0USD per piece. Besides reusability, this packaging solution is believed to fall under sustainable green technology and is expected to be highly economical.