Thermophysical characteristics and application of metallic-oxide based mono and hybrid nanocomposite phase change materials for thermal management systems

Arshad, Adeel; Jabbal, Mark; Yan, Yuying

Abstract

This experimental study covers the chemical, physical, thermal characterization and application of novel nanocomposite phase change materials (NCPCMs) dispersed by TiO2, Al2O3, and CuO nanoparticles for thermal management systems. A commercial-grade of paraffin, namely RT-35HC, was considered as a phase change material (PCM). The mono and hybrid NCPCMs were synthesized at a constant weight concentration of 1.0 wt.%. In the first phase, various characterization techniques were used to explore the thermophysical properties and chemical interaction of mono and hybrid NCPCMs. In the second phase, the thermal cooling performance was investigated by filling the prepared NCPCMs in a heat sink at various input power levels. The results showed the uniform dispersion of TiO2, Al2O3, and CuO nanoparticles onto the surface of both mono and hybrid NCPCMs without altering the chemical structure of RT-35HC. The optimum latent-heat of fusion and highest thermal conductivity of 228.46 J/g and 0.328 W/m K were obtained, respectively, of Al2O3+CuO dispersed hybrid NCPCM compared to pure RT-35HC. In comparison of RT-35HC, the increasing trend in specific heat capacity was observed of NCPCMs and 36.47% enhancement was obtained for hybrid NCPCM in solid-phase. The reduction in heat sink base temperature was achieved of 3.67%, 6.13%, 13.95% and 8.23% for NCPCMTiO2, NCPCMAl2O3, NCPCMCuO and NCPCMAl2O3+CuO, respectively, compared to RT-35HC. Further, no phase segregation, less subcooling, smaller phase transition temperature, higher chemical and thermal stability were observed with hybrid NCPCMs which can be used potentially for thermal management of electronic devices, Li-ion batteries and photovoltaic (PV) modules systems.

Citation

Arshad, A., Jabbal, M., & Yan, Y. (2020). Thermophysical characteristics and application of metallic-oxide based mono and hybrid nanocomposite phase change materials for thermal management systems. Applied Thermal Engineering, 181, Article 115999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115999

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 31, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 5, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 25, 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 10, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 6, 2021
• Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering
• Print ISSN: 1359-4311
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5606
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 181
• Article Number: 115999
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115999
• Keywords: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering; Energy Engineering and Power Technology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4894233
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431120334803
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Thermophysical characteristics and application of metallic-oxide based mono and hybrid nanocomposite phase change materials for thermal management systems; Journal Title: Applied Thermal Engineering; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115999; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.