Polypropylene aerogel-based composites with paraffin and MWCNTs as phase change materials

The development of energy storage materials is crucial for effective energy management. In this study, we present the creation of a composite material comprising polypropylene (PP) aerogel, paraffin, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a phase change material (PCM). Our process begins with the dissolution of PP granules, serving as the foundational step. Subsequently, various antisolvents are systematically employed to induce the formation of PP gels. The process culminates in the fabrication of aerogels through the established freeze-drying technique. Importantly, our examination of porosity highlights the significant impact of antisolvent selection on the pore structure and specific surface area of the resulting aerogels. Our weight measurements demonstrate the remarkable capacity of the lightweight PP aerogel, characterized by substantial porosity and inherent hydrophobicity, to adsorb paraffin, capturing up to five times its weight. These findings are substantiated through structural analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal analysis of the PP/PCM/MWCNTs composites reveals the achievement of the highest enthalpy, reaching 125 J g(-1), representing a modest 13% reduction compared to pure paraffin. Furthermore, all samples exhibit exceptional thermal stability even after 50 thermal cycles. Notably, Xenon flash analysis (XFA) shows an approximate 800% increase in thermal conductivity compared with pure paraffin and a substantial 35% increase compared to PP/paraffin composites. In conclusion, our lightweight aerogel-based PCM demonstrates great promise for various thermal management applications.