Comparison of Phase Change Materials of Modified Soy Wax using Graphene and MAXene for Thermal Energy Storage Materials in Buildings

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize Phase Change Materials (PCM) by improving their properties using shape stabilization; this was achieved by adding nanoparticles as a support material. PCM soy wax was modified using two nanoparticles, graphene, and MAXene Ti3AlC2. The synthesis process comprised stirring using a magnetic stirrer and ultrasonication using an ultrasonic processor with various percentages of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt.% of soy wax with nanoparticles. Based on the results, the morphologies of graphene and MAXene Ti3AlC2 were found to be in the form of sheets. These sheets had a large surface area, so soy wax could adsorb more nanoparticles to increase the stability of the material. The thermal conductivity increased with increasing percentage addition of nanoparticles. The highest values from the synthesis with graphene and MAXene Ti3AlC2 were 0.89 W/mK and 0.85 W/mK, respectively. The thermal conductivity of soy wax increased with the ratio of pure soy wax and nano-soy wax; the thermal conductivity was 6.01 for soy wax+graphene and 5.71 for soy wax+Ti3AlC2. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed an increase in the melting and solidifying points of pure soy wax. The modified soy wax with 0.1 wt.% graphenes experienced a reduction in the melting and solidification points up to 15% and 14%, respectively. Similar results were obtained for 0.1 wt.% MAXene Ti3AlC2. In this case, there was a reduction in the melting and solidifying points by 16% and 13%, respectively. Finally, the addition of MAXene improved the material stability and thermal conductivity of soy wax and has the potential to be used as a thermal energy storage material for building applications.