Enhancing heat capacity of colloidal suspension using nanoscale encapsulated phase-change materials for heat transfer.
This paper describes a new method to enhance the heat-transfer property of a single-phase liquid by adding encapsulated phase-change nanoparticles (nano-PCMs), which absorb thermal energy during solid-liquid phase changes. Silica-encapsulated indium nanoparticles and polymer-encapsulated paraffin (wax) nanoparticles have been made using colloid method, and suspended into poly-alpha-olefin (PAO) and water for potential high- and low-temperature applications, respectively. The shells prevent leakage and agglomeration of molten phase-change materials, and enhance the dielectric properties of indium nanoparticles. The heat-transfer coefficients of PAO containing indium nanoparticles (30% by mass) and water containing paraffin nanoparticles (10% by mass) are 1.6 and 1.75 times higher than those of corresponding single-phase fluids. The structural integrity of encapsulation allows repeated use of such nanoparticles for many cycles in high heat generating devices.
NanoScience Technology Center and Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA.
Yan
Y
Hong
Shujiang
S
Ding
Wei
W
Wu
Jianjun
J
Hu
Andrey A
AA
Voevodin
Lois
L
Gschwender
Ed
E
Snyder
Louis
L
Chow
Ming
M
Su
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007204:Indium / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010232:Paraffin / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
D003102:Colloids; D011108:Polymers; D007204:Indium; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D010232:Paraffin