Preparation, Characterization and Thermal Cycling Analyses of Nanocomposite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

Experimental work is carried out to study the performance of nanoparticle enhanced phase change materials (NEPCMs) when applied to the Egyptian weather for indoor thermal comfort. Nanoparticle alumina and copper-oxide are used as the additive material into the PCMs 7, 11, 24, 26 and 29. The enhanced PCMs are characterized and tested for thermal performance during solidification and melting cycles. Observations are then made to conclude that, compared to the base fluid, PCM11 has the optimum performance for the Egyptian winter weather and PCM26 is the best for the summer conditions. PCM11 with a favorable phase change range [Formula: see text]–13°C for Egyptian winter conditions, shows a reduction of melting time by over 10% when 5[Formula: see text]wt.% CuO nanoparticles (NPs) are added. Similarly, further to thermal stability and reduced corrosive action, PCM26 enhanced with 5[Formula: see text]wt.% CuO NPs has over 14% faster melting compared to the base fluid and does not undergo supercooling when tested for summer application.