Experimental investigation on thermophysical and optical properties of hybrid nanoerythritol for photothermal energy conversion and storage

Abstract

In this study, MWCNTs (Multi walled carbon nanotubes) and TiO₂ (Titanium oxide) are dispersed in erythritol of composition 1 and 3wt.% in the ratio of 1:1. Thermal cycling of the samples were done up to 50cycles. The characterization DSC, FT-IR, SEM, XRD, TGA were reported in this study. The optical absorbance of nanomaterial is reported in the wavelength ranges from 200 to 800 nm. Compared to MWCNTs, the TiO₂ nanoparticles shows higher absorbance in the wavelength between 200 and 400 nm. The specific heat of the samples is reported, the drastic changes in the specific heat are observed at 120°C, and the corresponding values at 1 and 3wt.% is found to be 11.7 and 7.20 J/g K. The latent heat 1 and 3wt.% of the thermal cycled samples decreased from 330.29 to 329.17 J/g and 328.67 to 327.32 J/g. The FT-IR result reveals that there are no new bonds formed, and PCM doesn't chemically interact with the nanomaterials. The thermal degradation of all the samples is found between 290 to 320°C, respectively. Thermal conductivity increased from 0.733 to 1.17 and 1.26 for the wt.% of 1 and 3%. The photothermal conversion performance of the pure PCM, 1wt.% and 3wt.% were done using a solar simulator with solar insolation of 975W/m². Compared to pure PCM, the temperature rise was higher for both nano-enhanced PCMs.

Highlights

• MWCNTs (Multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and TiO₂ (Titanium oxide) are dispersed in erythritol of composition 1 and 3 wt.% in the ratio of 1:1

• The optical absorbance of nanomaterial is measured. Compared to MWCNTs, the TiO₂ nanoparticles show higher absorbance in the wavelength between 200 and 400 nm.

• The FT-IR result reveals the absence of new bonds formed, and PCM doesn't chemically interact with the nanomaterials.

• The thermal degradation of all the samples is found between 290°C and 320°C.

KEYWORDS:

• Phase change materials
• energy storage
• optical absorbance
• hybrid nanomaterials

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).