Issue 16, 2013

Phase change nanocomposites with tunable melting temperature and thermal energy storage density

Abstract

Size-dependent melting decouples melting temperature from chemical composition and provides a new design variable for phase change material applications. To demonstrate this potential, we create nanocomposites that exhibit stable and tunable melting temperatures through numerous melt–freeze cycles. These composites consist of a monodisperse ensemble of Bi nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a polyimide (PI) resin matrix. The Bi NPs operate as the phase change component whereas the PI resin matrix prevents nanoparticle coalescence during melt–freeze cycles. We tune melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion in these composites by varying the NP diameter. Adjusting the NP volume fraction also controls the composite's thermal energy storage density. Hence it is possible to leverage size effects to tune phase change temperature and energy density in phase change materials.

Graphical abstract: Phase change nanocomposites with tunable melting temperature and thermal energy storage density

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
31 May 2013
Accepted
28 Jun 2013
First published
02 Jul 2013

Nanoscale, 2013,5, 7234-7237

Phase change nanocomposites with tunable melting temperature and thermal energy storage density

M. Liu and R. Y. Wang, Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 7234 DOI: 10.1039/C3NR02842A

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