Thermal Energy Storage Properties of Hybrid Nanocomposite–Embedded Phase Change Material for Sustainable Buildings

Abstract

The thermal properties of the new copper–titania hybrid nanocomposite embedded organic ester phase change material (HNPCM) were analyzed experimentally. The surface functionalized hybrid nanocomposite (HyNC) embedded into the PCM has effectively created the densely packed network of thermal interfaces in the PCM matrix layers. The experimental results suggest that, the incorporation of the HyNC has enabled the HNPCM to exhibit improved thermal conductivity (0.347 W/m K), congruent phase transition temperature (freezing: 33.53ᵒC, melting: 35.32 ᵒC), high latent heat capacity (freezing: 109.05 kJ/kg, melting: 109.14 kJ/kg) and considerable reduction in (freezing time: 21.2%, melting time: 29.2%). The improved thermal properties being achieved facilitate the HNPCM to be considered as a viable thermal storage material for high performance and sustainable building cooling and heating applications.