Eco‐friendly conductive polymer nanocomposites (CPC) for solar absorbers design

Abstract

International audienceTo reduce both the cost and the environmental impact of copper-based thermal solar absorbers, we have investigated their possible substitution by bio-based conductive polymer nanocomposite (CPC) elements. Our results show that carbon nanotubes (CNT) have no significant influence on polymers' calorimetric properties such as Tm and Tg but lead to a strong increase in crystallinity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and to a lesser extent of poly(amide 12) poly(amide 12) (PA12) for 2 and 3 CNT wt % respectively. Percolation thresholds as low as 0.5 and 0.58 were obtained for PA12 and PLA, respectively, and visco-elastic properties such as h*, G' and G" were found to increase exponentially with CNT content confirming the formation of a CNT network within the matrix. All CPC are absorbing more energy in the visible and infrared than in the ultraviolet wavelength ranges. Finally, the thermal conductivity k of PLA-CNT and PA12-CNT were increased, respectively, of 85% and 24%, to reach 0.28W.m 1.K 1 and 0.26W.m 1.K 1, for only 5wt% CNT. The figure of merit suggests that PA12 is the polymer which satisfies at best all criteria, particularly combining a lower viscosity at almost equivalent thermal conductivity and absorptivity

Recent research developments in polymer heat exchangers – A review

“…Antar et al 67 proposed using a conductive polymer nanocomposite (CPC) for the solar absorber design. Polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (amide 12) (PA12) filled with carbon nanotube were selected to replace the traditional copper absorbers.…”

Enhanced thermal conductivity of PLA‐based nanocomposites by incorporation of graphite nanoplatelets functionalized by tannic acid

“…In this paper, our main attention is focused on the effects of noncovalent TA functionalization of GNPs on the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is selected as the polymeric matrix in this study because environmentally friendly PLA as an alternative to petroleum‐based polymers has been widely applied in engineering applications such as electronic and electrical devices, mechanical parts, automotive parts, and three‐dimensional printing materials for fused deposition modeling . PLA‐based nanocomposites with TA‐functionalized GNPs were first prepared (Figure ), and the uniform dispersion of GNPs in the nanocomposites and enhanced mechanical properties and thermal conductivity were observed.…”

Quantification of Zinc in Thermally Conducting Polycarbonate Containing Fiber‐type SiO2 Fillers

“…The unique functionalities of the specific fillers used can change basic polymers’ physical properties, such as electrical and thermal characteristics. For example, using innovative fillers, the degree of filling or the use of hazardous substances can be minimized . The former allows changes in properties using minimum amounts, while the latter makes the products eco‐friendly.…”

“…For example, using innovative fillers, the degree of filling or the use of hazardous substances can be minimized. [1][2][3] The former allows changes in properties using minimum amounts, while the latter makes the products eco-friendly. The eco-friendliness concept for electrical and electronic products is especially important nowadays, as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has prohibited the use of hazardous substances containing brominated and chlorinated organics used as a retardant through regulation IEC 62321.…”