In Situ Preparation of Polyethylene Glycol/ Silver Nanoparticles Composite Phase Change Materials with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been widely used as efficient materials in latent heat thermal storage systems for various applications. The poor thermal conductivity of most organic PCMs, however, has long been considered as one of big obstacles hindering their practical applications. Here, we report the first example of in situ reduction of AgNO3 precursor by PEG for preparation of polyethylene glycol/silver nanoparticles (PEG/Ag) PCMs nanocomposites with enhanced thermal conductivity only though a simple blending and heating process, without using any complicated techniques. The prepared Ag nanoparticles show a well dispersion in PEG matrix and the Ag is mainly existed in a zero of valence status. As expected, a maximum value of 211.7 % of that of pure PEG in thermal conductivities of the resulting PEG/Ag PCMs were achieved. The latent heat for PEG/Ag PCMs nanocomposites were evaluated in the range from 121.9 J g−1 to 141.9 J g−1. Owing to high latent heat and excellent thermal conductivity, such PEG/Ag PCMs may have great potentials for energy saving applications. Especially, the in situ preparation of PEG/Ag makes it possible for site operation and scaled‐up production, which is of great technologically significance for realization of PCMs into real applications.

Enhancing the phase change material properties by an energy-efficient one-step preparation method using organogelator–polyolefin composites

“…To counteract this, additives with high thermal conductivity such as carbon black or silver nanoparticles can be added. [48][49][50][51] The same behavior can also be observed using DSC (see ESI 4).…”

Liquid Polymer/Metallic Salt-Based Stretchable Strain Sensor to Evaluate Fruit Growth

“…PEG is also known as a reducing agent for the formation of silver nanoparticles. 17,18 Silver has a low tendency of ionization compared to other metals. In other words, silver ions have strong oxidizing power to be reduced to metallic silver.…”

Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Dispersed-Polyethylene Glycol: Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Energy Storage Properties

“…The low mass fraction-addition of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs), copper oxide (CuO), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide­(ZnO), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ), and silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), can significantly enhance the thermal conductivity of various organic PCMs. − However, the studies about the use of MONPs as an additive agent to improve thermal conductivity of PEGs are limited to a few studies. Liang et al have prepared PEG/silver nanocomposite and reported the thermal conductivity enhancement rate as 211% for a mass fraction of 4:1 to 1:1 (PEG to AgNO 3 ). Babapoor et al fabricated PEG1000/polyamide composite including various MONPs (SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , and ZnO) as supporting material.…”