Carbon black nano particle loaded lauric acid-based form-stable phase change material with enhanced thermal conductivity and photo-thermal conversion for thermal energy storage. (15th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mishra, Amit Kumar; Lahiri, B.B.; Philip, John
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 191(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-15
• Subjects: Thermal conductivity enhancement -- Phase change materials -- Form-stable PCM -- Thermal energy storage -- Carbon black nano particle -- Photo-thermal conversion; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116572
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: We report significantly high enhancements in thermal conductivity and photo-thermal conversion for lauric acid-based phase change material (PCM), loaded with carbon black nano particles (CBNP). Addition of 25 wt % calcium carbonate powder to the PCM is found to arrest the material leakage during solid-liquid phase transition and the form-stable PCM showed superior thermal and mechanical properties. Thermal conductivity enhanced by ∼195% for the PCM loaded with 3.5 wt % of CBNP nano-inclusions, which is attributed to the development of interconnected percolation networks during solidification of the PCM. Superior volume filling capability and compressibility of CBNP nano-inclusions further augmented thermal conductivity enhancements in solid state. The micro-scale aggregation phenomena and the formation of quasi-2D percolation networks is observed in real time using timed stamped optical phase contrast video-microscopy. The ∼134% enhancement in photo-thermal conversion is attributed to the augmentation of extinction efficiency of the incident radiation due to multiple scattering from the micro-sized CBNP clusters, within the PCM host matrix. The excellent photo-thermal efficiency, high thermal conductivity, low cost and enhanced form-stability of the CBNP loaded PCMs at elevated temperature make them economically attractive choice for latent heat thermal energy storage applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Enhanced thermal conductivity (TC) in PCM loaded with CBNP is observed. TC enhanced by ∼195% for 3.5 wt % of CBNP loading. Superior volume filling capability and compressibility of CBNP caused high TC. Formation of quasi-2D percolation networks is seen in real time. ∼134% enhancement in photo-thermal conversion for 3.5 wt % CBNP loading.