Advanced Nanocomposite Phase Change Material Based on Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate with Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles for Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

The present study prepared nanocomposite phase change materials (PCMs) based on calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2·6H2O) with gamma aluminum oxide (γ-Al2O3) nanoparticles to characterize phase change behavior, such as the supercooling degree, phase change temperature, latent heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal stability. Results demonstrate that thermal conductivity and heat transfer of the CaCl2·6H2O/γ-Al2O3 nanocomposite PCMs are significantly enhanced and supercooling of CaCl2·6H2O/γ-Al2O3 nanocomposite PCMs is suppressed. Moreover, a 50 run cycling test verifies that the CaCl2·6H2O nanocomposite PCMs contained with 1 wt % γ-Al2O3 possesses enhanced thermal behavior. The degree of supercooling is within the range of 0.3–1.1 °C; the maximum reductions in the latent heat is 5.9%; and no phase segregation was observed. The CaCl2·6H2O/γ-Al2O3 nanocomposite PCMs presented acceptable thermal reliability, chemical stability, and heat transfer characteristics, thereby reflecting its acceptability for low-temperature solar thermal energy storage applications.

Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems with Solid–Liquid Phase Change Materials: A Review

“…The charging and discharging rates of Cu‐based composite PCMs were significantly improved, and the heating and cooling times of composites with 1 wt% Cu nanoparticles could be reduced by 30.3 and 28.2%, respectively. Li et al prepared nanocomposite PCMs based on CaCl 2 · 6H 2 O with γ –Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles for TES. The results demonstrated that the thermal conductivities are 0.459, 0.672, 0.976, and 1.373 W/(m · K), which correspond to enhancements of 34.6, 97, 186, and 303%, for nanocomposite PCMs containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt% γ –Al 2 O 3 , respectively.…”

Inorganic Salt Hydrate for Thermal Energy Storage

“…Application of nanomaterials has recently put forward to give notable effect on reducing supercooling degree. Li et al [28] focused on nanocomposite PCMs and found that the degree of supercooling is within the range of 0.3-1.1 • C when CaCl 2 ·6H 2 O composite contained with 1 wt % nanomaterials and the complete solidification times were reduced by 17.84%. Fine graphite powder less than 50 µm [29], borax [30], disodium phosphate dodecahydrate [31] and nano silver particles [32] can reduce the supercooling degree of C 2 H 3 NaO 2 ·3H 2 O under 2 • C. Calcium oxalate monohydrate [33], SrCO 3 [34], Sr(OH) 2 [34,35] SrCO 3 [35] and Na 3 AlF 6 [36] are both good nucleating agents for bischofite (MgC1 2 ·6H 2 O).…”

“…Phase segregation and supercooling of salt hydrates mixtures were also almost inhibited. Li [28] investigated the influence of oxidation expandable graphite (OEG) on thermal behaviors of CaCl2·6H2O, and results showed that OEG can be served as nucleation to promote crystallization process thanks to their uniform distribution in salt hydrates. Similar research was carried out by Mao [31].…”

Modification on hydrated salt‐based phase change composites with carbon fillers for electronic thermal management

“…There into, inorganic PCM have some attractive properties such as larger latent heat density, higher heat conductivity, and lower material cost compared with organics. However, phase separation and supercooling are two severe problems of hydrated salts for technical application . The conventional methods to solve above problems are utilization of thickening and nucleating agents .…”

“…However, phase separation and supercooling are two severe problems of hydrated salts for technical application. [20][21][22] The conventional methods to solve above problems are utilization of thickening and nucleating agents. [23][24][25] Hu et al 26 used AIN nanoparticles as nucleating agent and CMC as thickener for SAT, and the results indicated that supercooling degree reduced to 0°C to 2.4°C.…”