Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their nanocomposites are used in various
products and technologies due to their unique characteristics. For their future
implementation, the manufacturing of CNTs with appropriate specifications has gained
momentum in the area of nanoscience and technology. Conventional phase change
materials used in solar thermal energy storage have low thermal conductivity. CNTs
are used to prepare phase change materials with high thermal conductivity to solve this
issue. This chapter addresses the synthesis, structure, and properties of CNTs. The
different varieties of solar energy storage systems used to store solar radiation are also
discussed. Further, we explain the phase change materials (PCMs) as suitable solar
thermal energy storage systems and discuss the methods to prepare CNT-based
nanomaterials for use as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) after using the CNTs based PCMs
in solar storage systems. CNT based nanomaterials as a heat transfer fluid significantly
increase the effective receiving efficiency, thermal conductivity, and absorption
coefficient of such storage systems.
Keywords: Arc discharge, Carbon nanotubes, Chemical vapour deposition, Electrolysis, Graphene, Heat transfer fluid, Laser ablation, Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Phase change materials, Photovoltaic, Single walled carbon nanotubes, Solar cells, Solar energy storage devices, Solar radiation, Thermal conductivity, Sonochemical, Specific heat capacity.
