A Phase Change Material Nano-Emulsion for Cooling Applications

摘要

A nano-emulsion based on commercial PCM Rubitherm RT21HC has been successfully prepared in waterwith a concentration of 16 wt% and an average droplet size of less than 120 nm. Carbon Nanohorns have beenincorporated into the dispersed phase as a nucleating agent. The nano-emulsion has been prepared in a batchof 200 mL with a solvent-assisted method and it has been characterized by DLS, Polarisation IntensityDifferential Scattering, Rheometry, DSC, Thermoacoustic Thermal Diffusivity. Heat transfer capability hasbeen tested with a Mettler Toledo EasyMax Synthesis Reactor. The system showed interesting stability andrheological properties; however, further work is needed to overcome some usual problems related to nanoconfinedsystems, as the reduction of expected latent heat and PCM solidification supercooling. It can beestimated that this system shows an increase of apparent specific heat of about 8% with respect to pure waterin a working temperature range of 18°C.