Metal Nanoparticles Decorated on Carbon Nanotube Surfaces as Fillers to Improve Thermal Conductivity of Stable Phase Change Composite Materials

Abstract

The composite phase change materials (CPCM) are prepared by using porous silicon carbide foam as the carrier, N-octadecane (C18) as the phase change material, and metal nanoparticles decorated on carbon nanotube surfaces (M-NPs@CNTs) as fillers. It is a new type of shape and performance stable C18/M-NPs@CNTs/SF CPCM with better performance. The thermal conductivity of the C18/M-NPs/CNT/silicon carbide foam (SF) composite is higher than that of pure C18. When the thermal filler is AgNPs@CNTs, the thermal conductivity of CPCM is improved by 666% compared with C18. The results of thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis indicate good structural stability and chemical stability. C18/1wt%AgNPs/CNT/SF has the highest thermal conductivity and heat storage capacity, and the best overall performance in the process of thermal energy storage and release. The silver nanoparticles The well-dispersed thermal fillers (M-NPs@CNTs) form excellent heat conduction path and improve the thermal performance of the system. The SF is an excellent thermal conductive carrier materials and its porous structures are attributed to the adsorption of phase change materials and structural stability of CPCM. The application of SF both improves the thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of CPCM and decreases its leakage during phase change. The application of solid-liquid CPCM can be enlarged in thermal management field.