Journal Article

Investigations on thermal properties of MWCNT-NBN Paraffin Wax phase change material for thermal storage applications

Ramkumar, T., Sathishkumar, A. S., Arun Balasubramanian, K.

2023

Overview

The research article addresses the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and nano-boron nitride (NBN) hybrid composite powders on thermal properties of the paraffin wax for thermal storage applications. Five different phase change material (PCM) samples were prepared with 100 paraffin wax, 99.5 paraffin wax + 0.5 MWCNT, 99.5 paraffin wax + 0.5 BN, 99 paraffin wax + 0.5 MWCT + 0.5 BN and 98 paraffin wax + 1 MWCNT + 1 BN mass percentage compositions. The size of the secondary particles MWCNT and NBN was assessed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). After PCM preparation, the morphology and distribution of the secondary particles were evaluated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The phase change of MWCNT and NBN was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal conductivity tests were carried out on the PCMs to assess physical and thermal properties. The results revealed that hybrid nano-composite powders with paraffin wax provide better thermal conductivity of paraffin wax which increased from 0.18 to 0.31 W m −1 K −1 . However, the distribution of MWCNT and NBN extended the thermal degradation of paraffin wax and solidification temperature. Increasing the mass % of MWCNT and NBN reduced the melting point of paraffin wax from 64.70 to 62.52 °C. Further, the solidification temperature of paraffin wax increased while increasing the mass % of MWCNT and NBN from 56.01 to 60.13 °C. This research revealed that thermal properties of paraffin wax were significantly increased with the increment of mass % of composite powders (MWCNT and NBN) addition.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Analytical Chemistry / Boron nitride / Carbon / Chemistry / Chemistry and Materials Science / Climate change / Electric properties / Energy storage / Field emission / Heat conductivity / Heat transfer / Hybrid composites / Inorganic Chemistry / Investigations / Measurement Science and Instrumentation / Melting points / Morphology / Multi wall carbon nanotubes / Nanocomposites / Nanoparticles / Nanotubes / Paraffin wax / Phase change materials / Physical Chemistry / Polymer Sciences / Porous materials / Powders / Product development / Solidification / Technology application / Thermal conductivity / Thermal degradation / Thermal energy / Thermal properties / Thermal storage / Thermodynamic properties / Thermogravimetric analysis / Transmission electron microscopes / Zinc oxides