Confinement Effect of Graphene Interface on Phase Transition of n-Eicosane: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecular Weight Segregation and Thermal Conductivity of Polydisperse Wax-Graphene Nanocomposites

Paraffin waxes are a promising material for heat storage with high energy density. Their low thermal conductivity, which limits the speed of charging and discharging in heat buffers, was previously shown to be improved by adding graphene nanofillers. In the present study, using molecular dynamics simulations, the segregation by molecular weight of polydisperse paraffin near graphene flakes is investigated. In liquid bidisperse paraffin composed of decane and triacontane, an aligned layer containing mainly triacontane was observed next to the graphene. Upon slow cooling, the wax crystallised into distinct layers parallel to the graphene sheet, with much stronger segregation by molecular weight than in the crystallised bidisperse wax without graphene. For polydisperse wax, the segregation effect was much less pronounced. The molten paraffin had a somewhat higher concentration of the longest chains in the first layers next to the graphene, but during crystallisation, the molecular weight segregation was only slightly increased. Measurements of crystallinity using an alternative version of the method developed by Yamamoto showed that the layers of wax were highly aligned parallel to the graphene, both in the solid state with all wax crystallised and in the liquid state with one layer of aligned wax above and below the graphene. Thermal conductivity was increased in planes parallel to the graphene flakes. The strong segregation of chain lengths in the bidisperse wax resulted in clear differences in thermal conductivity in the segregated regions. The less segregated polydisperse wax showed less variation in thermal conductivity.

Molecular dynamics simulations of phase change materials for thermal energy storage: a review

Phase change materials (PCM) have had a significant role as thermal energy transfer fluids and nanofluids and as media for thermal energy storage. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, can play a significant role in addressing several thermo-physical problems of PCMs at the atomic scale by providing profound insights and new information. In this paper, the reviewed research is classified into five groups: pure PCM, mixed PCM, PCM containing nanofillers, nano encapsulated PCM, and PCM in nanoporous media. A summary of the equilibrium and non-equilibrium MD simulations of PCMs and their results is presented as well. The primary results of the simulated systems are demonstrated to be efficient in manufacturing phase change materials with better thermal energy storage features. The goals of these studies are to achieve higher thermal conductivity, higher thermal capacity, and lower density change, determine the melting point, and understand the molecular behaviors of PCM composites. A molecular dynamics-based grouping (PCM simulation table) was presented that is very useful for the future roadmap of PCM simulation. In the end, the PCFF force field is presented in detail and a case problem is studied for more clarity. The results show that simulating the PCMs with a similar strategy could be performed systematically. Results of investigations of thermal conductivity enhancement showed that this characteristic can be increased at the nano-scale by the orientation of PCM molecules.

Phase change materials (PCM) have had a significant role as thermal energy transfer fluids and nanofluids and as media for thermal energy storage.

A Molecular Dynamics Study of Monomer Melt Properties of Cyanate Ester Monomer Melt Properties

The objective of this work was to computationally predict the melting temperature and melt properties of thermosetting monomers used in aerospace applications. In this study, we applied an existing voids method by Solca. to examine four cyanate ester monomers with a wide range of melting temperatures. Voids were introduced into some simulations by removal of molecules from lattice positions to lower the free-energy barrier to melting to directly simulate the transition from a stable crystal to amorphous solid and capture the melting temperature. We validated model predictions by comparing melting temperature against previously reported literature values. Additionally, the torsion and orientational order parameters were used to examine the monomers’ freedom of motion to investigate structure–property relationships. Ultimately, the voids method provided reasonable estimates of melting temperature while the torsion and order parameter analysis provided insight into sources of the differing melt properties between the thermosetting monomers. As a whole, the results shed light on how freedom of molecular motions in the monomer melt state may affect melting temperature and can be utilized to inspire the development of thermosetting monomers with optimal monomer melt properties for demanding applications.