Thermal properties and crystallization kinetics of pentaglycerine/graphene nanoplatelets composite phase change material for thermal energy storage

Solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) used in thermal energy storage (TES) system attract much attention in recent days. Here, graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) were introduced into pentaglycerine (PG) with mass ratios of 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 4 wt% to obtain PG/GnPs PCMs. The structure and thermal property of PG/GnPs PCMs were characterized by SEM, XPS, FT-IR, POM, DSC, thermal conductivity tester, and heat transfer performance test system. The effect of GnPs on the crystallization kinetic of PG was investigated by isoconversional method. The results indicated that PG and GnPs were uniformly mixed together by physical reaction. GnPs reduced the subcooling and enhanced the thermal conductivity of the PG/GnPs. The heat transfer rate of PG/GnPs was improved during to the high thermal conductivity. Crystallization kinetic results presented that the activation energy increases with the GnP content. In summary, GnPs improved the thermal behaviors of PG.