Preparation and thermophysical properties of MWCNTS/Paraffin composite phase change material.

To improve thermal energy storage performance of paraffin, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) /paraffin composite phase change materials were prepared by using paraffin wax(PW) as matrix and as MWCNTs additives. The effects of different dispersant types and concentration ratios on dispersion performance of MWCNTs in PW were studied, and the effects of respective concentration ratiosof dispersant and MWCNTs on thermal energy storage performance of MWCNTs/paraffin composite phase change materials were also studied. The results showed thatSDBS hadbetterdispersionperformancethan otherdispersants; when SDBSand MWCNTs mass ratio was 2:1, the best dispersion of MWCNTs was achieved; when the mass ratio of SDBS and MWCNTswas 2:1 andthe mass fraction of MWCNTs was 0.6wt%, compared with pure paraffin, the fluctuation of phase transition temperature was less than 3.0%, the phase change enthalpy was reduced about 4.8%, the thermal conductivity was 0.251W/(m﹒K), increased by 16.6%.