Thermal analysis of graphene nanosheets/paraffin nanocomposites with non-ionic surfactant for thermal energy storage

Abstract

Thermal energy storage (TES) using phase change materials (PCMs) has been extensively utilized to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems. High-conductive nanofillers have been an effective method to improve PCM's energy efficiency and thermal management systems. This research modifies high-capacity paraffin using graphene nanosheets (GNS) in small weight fractions of 0.2% and 0.6%. Tween 60 and gum Arabic are added to improve the GNS nanofiller's suspension ability. A higher GNS nanofiller of 0.6 wt% contributes to lower transmittance with higher solar energy absorption. However, GNS/paraffin with Tween 60 results in better thermal stability than gum Arabic surfactant. The improved thermal properties show promising results for TES systems in PVT applications.

Keywords

• high-capacity paraffin
• graphene nanosheets
• phase change materials
• surfactant
• tween 60
• gum arabic