Enhanced photo-thermal response of a cement-based composite containing carbon nanotubes

Poinern, G.E.J., Malarecki, J. and Fawcett, D. (2014) Enhanced photo-thermal response of a cement-based composite containing carbon nanotubes. International Journal of Energy Engineering, 4 (1). pp. 10-15.

Abstract

Direct absorption solar thermal collectors have the potential to offer an unlimited source of renewable energy with minimal environmental impact. The results of laboratory based testing and outdoor testing using a 1 m diameter parabolic dish solar oven have shown that a modified cement mortar containing small quantities of carbon nanotubes can improve its photo-thermal response compared to the plain mortar. Laboratory based testing under visible light recorded a temperature difference of up to 8.1ºC between the plain cement mortar and the optimized carbon nanotube based cement mortar. Solar oven studies recorded a temperature difference of up to 132ºC between the optimized carbon nanotube based cement mortar (293ºC) and the plain cement mortar (161ºC). These studies have revealed that modifying a cement mortar with 5 mg of carbon nanotubes can effectively improve its photo-thermal response and its ability to perform as an effective thermal absorber.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Engineering and Information Technology
Publisher:	World Academic Publishing
Copyright:	© 2014 Scientific & Academic Publishing.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/20663

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