Development of TiO2/RT–35HC based nanocomposite phase change materials (NCPCMs) for thermal management applications

Abstract This experimental study covers the development of novel nanocomposite phase change materials (NCPCMs) based on RT–35HC as a phase change material (PCM) and titanium oxide (TiO2) as thermal conductivity enhancement material, for thermal management applications. The TiO2 loadings were varied from 0.0 to 2.0  wt.% in pure RT–35HC samples and characterized for their chemical, physical and thermal properties by different characterization methods. The microstructures, chemical structures, lattice structures showed the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles onto the surface of NCPCMs. The results revealed that thermal properties including phase–change temperature, melting/solidifying latent–heat enthalpies, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity were decreased by the introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles. This study confirmed that NCPCMs based on TiO2/RT–35HC revealed the phase–change enthalpies and thermal conductivities of 238.33 - 227.74 J/g and 0.238 - 0.341  W/m.K, respectively. In addition, significant chemical and thermal stability and no phase segregation were observed with the increase in loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The newly developed TiO2/RT–35HC base NCPCMs revealed acceptable chemical stability, thermal reliability, and efficient conjugate heat transfer performance. Thereby, NCPCMs exhibit the potential application for thermal energy storage and thermal management of electronic devices, Li-ion batteries and photovoltaic (PV) modules.