Effect of Nanomaterial Inclusion in Phase Change Materials for Improving the Thermal Performance of Heat Storage: A Review

Abstract

Dispersion of nanoparticles is one of the potential solutions to improve the thermophysical properties of phase change (or transition) materials (PCMs) and enhance the performance of latent thermal energy storage (LTES) systems. The PCM ought to have a high latent heat of fusion, and zero or negligible coefficient of thermal expansion. A good PCM should have melting and solidification compatibility with negligible or zero subcooling, and it should not react with the common chemical reagents. The present known PCMs possess low thermal conductivity that results into a longer solidification and melting time of PCMs. In the past two decades, researchers have reported improved thermal conductivity and heat-storing capacity of PCMs employing graphite nanoparticles/fibers, carbon nanotubes/fibers, metal, and metal oxide nanoparticles. This work reviews the reported experimental and numerical studies describing the consequences of nanoparticle inclusions of various shapes and sizes on the thermal properties of the PCMs. This review attempts to make a consolidated database of the studies related to nanoadditive inclusion into PCMs for various applications. Graphene dispersed into PCM has resulted into 14 times thermal conductivity enhancement. As far as metal oxide nanoparticles are concerned, TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles outperformed others. The compatibility between the nanoadditive and PCM is necessary to tailor favorable thermal properties. This work reviews numerous studies of different nanoparticle–PCM duos.

Comparative Analysis of Additives for Increasing Thermal Conductivity of Phase Change Materials: A Review

“…Tauseef-ur-Rehman et al conducted a detailed review of PCMs through metal foam and EG to enhance TC and found that the heat transfer rate can be increased by increasing the surface area and TC of the composite. Barthwal et al reviewed the effect of nanoparticles on PCM and pointed out that adding nanoparticles can improve the TC of PCM, among which graphene has the best effect. However, the adverse effect of nanoparticles on PCM still needs further research.…”

Investigation of the thermodynamic properties of hydrates as cooling phase change materials for their implementation in electric vehicles

“…Paraffins, fatty acids, alcohols, esters and glycols are known organic PCMs. [7][8][9][10] However, their low thermal conductivity (0.1-0.35 W m À1 K À1 ) and flammability make them less effective and bring safety concerns. 11,12 Metallic PCMs are attractive because of their high thermal conductivity 13 and higher heat capacity than organic PCMs.…”

Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersed-Polyethylene Glycol: Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Energy Storage Properties

“…The low mass fraction-addition of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), copper oxide (CuO), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide­(ZnO), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ), and silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), can significantly enhance the thermal conductivity of various organic PCMs. − However, the studies about the use of MONPs as an additive agent to improve thermal conductivity of PEGs are limited to a few studies. Liang et al have prepared PEG/silver nanocomposite and reported the thermal conductivity enhancement rate as 211% for a mass fraction of 4:1 to 1:1 (PEG to AgNO 3 ).…”