Performance Improvement of Heatsinks Through the Application of a CO₂ Capture Process

This study evaluated the thermal management and CO₂ capture performance of LED heatsinks coated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polyethyleneimine (PEI), demonstrating their potential for enhancing heatsink efficiency. By combining MWCNT, a physical adsorbent, with PEI, a chemical adsorbent, a porous material was created and applied to the heatsink surfaces. The heatsink containing 16 wt% MWCNT showed a maximum temperature 9.99% lower than that of an uncoated heatsink, indicating improved thermal management capabilities. The endothermic effect during CO₂ desorption significantly mitigated temperature increases, further enhancing the cooling effect. The heatsink with 12 wt% MWCNT-PEI achieved the highest CO₂ capture capacity at 4.25 mmol g⁻¹. This material effectively utilized heat from the LEDs to promote CO₂ desorption, reducing heat generation from the LEDs. The released CO₂ can be applied in areas such as indoor agriculture to optimize plant growth. These findings underscore the potential for integrating LED heatsink technology with CO₂ capture systems to enhance environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.