Studies on the thermal characteristics of nano-enhanced paraffin wax phase change material (PCM) for thermal storage applications

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to improve the thermal energy storage properties of paraffin wax by adding nanoparticles, such as Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nano SiO2.Dispersing MWNCTs and SiO2 nanoparticles at weight percentages of 0.5 and 1.0 respectively, in paraffin wax resulted in mono and hybrid nanoparticles enhanced PCM (HnPCMs). Transmission Electron Microscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-ray Diffraction were used to characterize the nanoparticles and fabricated PCMS. Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Thermal Conductivity Measurement are employed to investigate how hybrid nanoparticles impact the thermo physical characteristics of paraffin wax. The weight fraction of nanoparticles dispersed in the PCMs is directly proportional to the improvement of the heat conductivity of the composite. To get the most benefit from an increase in thermal conductivity, use a weight fraction of hybrid nanoparticles that is equal to or >1 %. The results of the analysis indicate that the fusion of SiO2 and MWNCTs nanoparticles with paraffin wax was homogeneous and the nanoparticles enhanced the thermal conductivity of the paraffin wax to 32 %, 40 %, and 46 %, respectively with HnPCM 2 to HnPCM 4. The melting and solidification temperatures of PCM can be lowered and raised, respectively, by dispersing nanoparticles, as demonstrated experimentally. Other properties, such as latent heat, specific heat, and viscosity may be impacted by the dispersion of excessive nanoparticles. These promising findings demonstrated that nanoparticles, specifically MWCNT and SiO2 might be employed to improve paraffin wax's thermal characteristics for thermal energy storage.