DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i3.353

Keywords: Phase change materials; coconut shell biochar; thermal energy storage; thermal conductivity

Abstract

The development of cost-effective, stable, and eco-friendly carbon-based nanoparticles derived from agricultural waste presents a sustainable alternative to conventional nanomaterials. This study focuses on synthesizing highly porous, three-dimensional honeycomb-structured carbon nanoparticles from coconut shells using green synthesis technique. The primary objective is to enhance the thermal properties of organic phase change materials (PCM) for improved energy storage applications. The coconut shell biochar (CSBC) nanoparticles were synthesized via a tube furnace process under controlled conditions and subsequently incorporated into RT54 PCM using a two-step dispersion approach to form RT54/CSBC nanocomposite PCM. The thermophysical properties of the nanocomposites were systematically analyzed using FTIR, thermal conductivity measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis. Experimental results shows the inclusion of CSBC particles significantly enhances the thermal conductivity of RT54 PCM by 80.19%, increasing from 0.212 W/(m.K) to 0.382 W(/m.K). Additionally, the formulated nanocomposite exhibits excellent thermal stability, maintaining structural integrity up to 170 °C. The 3D porous architecture of CSBC facilitates enhanced interfacial contact with the PCM, thereby reducing thermal resistance and promoting efficient heat transfer. These findings demonstrate the potential of CSBC-based nanocomposites as a sustainable and high-performance solution for thermal energy storage applications.