Improved Performance of Composite Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage

Thermal conductivity enhancement of the phase change materials (PCM) are widely studied for latent thermal energy for cooling and heating applications. Nanoparticles (NPs) suspended inside fatty acids are widely studied in order to assess the degree of enhancement. In the present study, it is aimed to demonstrate an experimental investigation on the improved thermal energy storage behaviour of a newly prepared composite PCM, consisting of myristic acid and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Ag NPs with mass fractions of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3wt% were suspended in the base PCM (myristic acid) separately, in order to find maximum enhancement of the thermal conductivity. The size and agglomeration of the as synthesized Ag NPs were studied by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Phase change properties (like, latent heats and temperatures) of composite PCMs were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Maximum thermal conductivity enhancement for composite PCM was achieved as 108% at 0.3wt% Ag NPs. Hence, newly prepared composite PCM could be recommended as one of the potential candidates for latent thermal energy storage system. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.