The thermal conductivity improvements of phase change materials using modified carbon nanotubes

This paper describes a new method of modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by ethylene grafting or silicon coating. The thermal conductivity of paraffin is enhanced by the modified CNTs. The influence of modification on the dispersion stability of CNTs and the thermal conduction performance of paraffin are studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal constant analyzer are used to analyze the composites. The results indicate that CNTs have been modified successfully. The dispersion stability of CNTs is significantly improved by polyethylene grafting or silicon coating. The thermal conductivity of paraffin phase change material is enhanced by 84.6% with the modified CNTs. The prepared paraffin/CNTs phase change materials show good thermal conductivity.