Improving the efficiency of thermal energy storage through the development and evaluation of hybrid nano-enhanced phase change materials

Significant energy input is needed for thermodynamic activities, including cooling, heating, and manufacturing, which frequently occur over a range of temperatures. Phase change materials (PCMs) are frequently employed in indirect thermal energy storage systems to handle this requirement effectively. Nevertheless, functionality is limited by their intrinsically low ability to conduct heat. The current research uses a two-step synthesis process to add copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles at a 1.5% weight ratio to improve the thermal characteristics of both PCMs: D-Mannitol and Myristic acid. Therminol-66 was used as a temperature conduction fluid during testing and thermophysical characterization of the resultant combination nano-PCMs. The coefficient of thermal conductivity was greatly enhanced by the addition of nanoparticles; Ma-Cu and My-Cu achieved values of 0.42 W/mK and 0.36 W/mK, respectively. Ma-Zn and My-Zn achieved heat transfer rates of 3956.40 kJ and 1451.51 kJ, respectively, indicating an improvement in heat transfer capability. These improvements show how hybrid nano-PCMs have a great deal of promise for raising heating and cooling systems in a range of environmental applications and clean energy.