Enhancement of thermal conductivity by the introduction of carbon nanotubes as a filler in paraffin/expanded perlite form-stable phase-change materials

Abstract In this study, the effect of the introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a filler for enhancing the thermal conductivity of paraffin-carbon nanotubes/expanded perlite form-stable composite phase change materials (PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs) was experimentally investigated. Four samples of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs with different CNT mass fractions were prepared by vacuum impregnation. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to investigate the morphology and microstructure of CNTs, EP, and PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to examine the thermal properties of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs, and results indicated that the latent heat and phase-change temperatures of the PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs slightly change with the CNTs mass fractions. The thermal conductivity of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs5.27 (0.516 W m −1  K −1 ) was 4.82 times that of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs0. The thermal storage and release properties of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs were significantly improved as compared with those of PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs0. Results obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermal cycling tests showed that PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs exhibit good chemical and thermal stabilities. The as-prepared PA-CNTs/EP FS-CPCMs demonstrate considerable potential as thermal energy storage materials.