Influence of Single‐Step Titanium Dioxide Nanofluid on Thermal and Rheological Behavior of Inorganic Phase Change Material (Sodium Acetate Tri‐Hydrate) for Thermal Energy Storage

ABSTRACT The high latent heat and temperature‐regulating features of phase transition materials have received a large amount of attention in thermal energy storage (TES). But a lot of salt hydrate‐based phase change materials (PCM), such as sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT), have built‐in problems that impair their dependability and long‐term performance. This work investigates the addition of single‐step‐synthesized titanium dioxide nanofluids to SAT matrix to improve its thermal properties and overcome these drawbacks. The use of a streamlined, single‐step synthesis method to create well‐dispersed TiO 2 nanofluids with regulated particle sizes (30, 50, and 70 nm) and introduce them into SAT at two concentrations to create six different n‐PCM composites (TS1–TS6) is what makes this study novel. Significant improvements in thermal behavior were found through thorough characterization employing dynamic light scattering, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and rheological tests. A delayed dehydration onset (~120°C) decreased initial mass loss (~27%), and attenuated high‐temperature deterioration (68%–48%) were all demonstrated by TS1, which synthesized TiO 2 at a lower concentration (size = 30 nm). A higher crystallization peak at 66.70°C was verified by DSC analysis as opposed to 62.72°C for pure SAT. Furthermore, because of its strong contact with PCM matrix and improved nanoparticle dispersion, TS1 showed superior stability and flow behavior. Using single‐step TiO 2 production, our work closes the gap in PCM enhancement by offering a scalable and effective method for nanofluid integration. TS1 is a viable candidate for advanced TES methods since it provided the best balance of thermal improvement, material economy, and process simplicity among all formulations.