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Synthesis and Functionalization of 3D Nano-graphene Materials: Graphene Aerogels and Graphene Macro Assemblies
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PEG 400-Based Phase Change Materials Nano-Enhanced with Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets
Marco A Marcos1, David Cabaleiro2,3, María J G Guimarey4
1Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain. mmarcosm@uvigo.es.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 30, 2017
Summary
New Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCMs) with graphene nanoplatelets improve thermal conductivity for Thermal Energy Storage. These NePCMs show enhanced heat storage capacity and potential for efficient energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are crucial for Thermal Energy Storage (TES).
- Enhancing PCM thermal properties is essential for efficient TES applications.
- Graphene nanoplatelets offer unique properties for material enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCMs).
- To investigate the influence of functionalized graphene nanoplatelets on PCM thermophysical properties.
- To evaluate the heat storage capacity of the designed NePCMs.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of NePCMs using functionalized graphene nanoplatelets in poly(ethylene glycol).
- Characterization of nanomaterial and base fluid properties (morphology, purity, molecular mass, thermal stability).
- Temporal stability study using dynamic light scattering to define NePCM design parameters.
- Investigation of thermophysical properties (thermal conductivity, phase transition temperature, heat capacity, etc.) at varying graphene loadings.
- Evaluation of heat storage capacity using Stefan and Rayleigh numbers.
Main Results:
- Graphene nanoplatelet loading enhanced thermal conductivity by up to 23%.
- Crystallization temperature was reduced by up to 4 K with graphene loading.
- Functionalized graphene nanoplatelets slightly increased the Stefan number, indicating improved heat storage potential.
- Designed NePCMs exhibited altered thermophysical properties compared to the base fluid.
Conclusions:
- The developed NePCMs demonstrate improved thermal conductivity and potential for enhanced Thermal Energy Storage.
- Functionalized graphene nanoplatelets are effective in modifying the thermophysical properties of poly(ethylene glycol) for TES.
- The study provides a foundation for designing advanced NePCMs for efficient energy storage solutions.
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