Thermal properties and stability of n‐octadecane based composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Abstract In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were added to n‐octadecane at weight percentages of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and changes of thermal properties of n‐octadecane were analyzed. Structural characterization of the materials was carried out by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and optical microscope. Thermal properties of n‐octadecane and its composites were evaluated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal measurements show that the highest contribution to latent heat absorbing capacity with 18% was provided by the addition of 1.25% MWNT to n‐octadecane. The thermal properties and the thermal stability of pure n‐octadecane and its composites with MWNT were also investigated by subjecting the samples to 1440 melting‐cooling cycles. The sample with 1.25% MWNT content also showed the best thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers