Experimental study on the storage and release characteristics of phase change materials with different nanomaterials as addictives

Abstract

The effect of nanomaterials on the thermal behavior of Decanoic-Caprylic Acid (DA-CA) binary eutectic mixture was investigated experimentally. Different high thermal conductivity nanomaterials, including nano-sized iron oxide (Fe2O3), nano-sized copper (Cu), hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OH), and dispersant Span-60, were added into DA-CA, respectively. The nanomaterial-enhanced phase change materials (NePCMs) were prepared by the ultrasonic oscillation method. The effects of nanomaterials on the cool storage performance of DA-CA were studied from the types and concentrations of nanomaterials. The experimental results showed that as the nanomaterials mass concentration increased, the thermal conductivity increased first and then gradually stabilized. The thermal conductivity trend for the composites added to the nanomaterials was: 0.40 g·L−1 Fe2O3 > 0.10 g·L−1 MWCNT-OH > 0.30 g·L−1 Cu. DA-CA + 0.40 g·L−1 Fe2O3 exhibited the best thermal properties, and its thermal conductivity increased by 36.8%, and the thermal storage time decreased by 38%. After 500 times thermal stability test, the NePCMs still maintained the appropriate phase change temperature and high latent heat. Therefore, this material has potential as part of the cold chain logistics for fruit and vegetable preservation.