Thermal hysteresis enhancement and dispersion thermal stability in paraffin actuators: Comparison of pan-nanofibers vs metal oxide nanoparticles use

In this research, the possibility of thermal property enhancement of paraffin actuators with nanofiber and metal oxide nanoparticle addition was experimentally evaluated. Besides pure paraffin compound, paraffin mixed with the CuO, Fe3O4, ZnO, Al2O3, and electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber nanoparticles were used, and a significant hysteresis improvement at first-level measurement was observed as 24.6, 26.2, 20.0, 29.2, and 30.8 % sequentially for the samples respectively compared with pure paraffin. Thermal dispersion stability of the nanocomposites was comprehended via computer tomographic (CT) investigation. The excessive precipitation of CuO, Fe3O4, and ZnO particles in the paraffin nanocomposite was observed. Precipitation of PAN Nanofiber- and Al2O3-Paraffin nanocomposite was not visually detectable via CT throughputs. The effect of thermal dispersion stability on the hysteresis performance of the nanocomposites was also investigated to ensure long-term consistent hysteresis performance advantages in paraffin actuators. Thermal dispersion stability effect on hysteresis performance of paraffin actuators with CuO, Fe3O4, ZnO, Al2O3, and PAN nanofiber nanocomposite paraffin compounds showed losses as 14.3, 14.6, 5.8, 4.3 and 2.2 % sequentially for the samples respectively. [Display omitted] •Importance of thermal sensing performance of paraffin actuators in battery-powered electrical vehicles.•Preparation of electrospun nanofiber and production of paraffin actuators with nanosized additives.•Characterization and thermal hysteresis comparison of metal oxide nanoparticles and nanofiber addition in paraffin.•Thermal dispersion stability of paraffin actuators under low and high-temperature heating cycles.•Demonstration of better overall performance of nanofiber addition in paraffin actuators.