Recent developments in phase change materials for energy storage applications: A review

Macroscopically three-dimensional (3D) structural materials with tailorable properties are ideal alternatives for the fabrication of composites. High-performance composite phase change materials (PCMs), as advanced energy storage materials, have been significantly developed in recent years owing to the progress in multifunctional 3D structural materials, including metallic foams, carbon foams, graphene aerogels and porous scaffolds. This review focuses on the role of 3D structural materials in organic solid–liquid composite PCMs and the relationships between their architectures and properties (shape stability and thermal conductivity). In addition, recent progress in energy conversion using composite PCMs is included, which provides an insight into potential applications in advanced energy conversion devices and systems. Finally, future directions and challenges in the development of high-performance organic composite PCMs are presented.

High-performance composite phase change materials for energy conversion based on macroscopically three-dimensional structural materials

Phase change materials (PCMs) can alleviate concerns over energy to some extent by reversibly storing a tremendous amount of renewable and sustainable thermal energy. However, the low thermal conductivity, low electrical conductivity, and weak photoabsorption of pure PCMs hinder their wider applicability and development. To overcome these deficiencies and improve the utilization efficiency of thermal energy, versatile carbon materials have been increasingly considered as supporting materials to construct shape-stabilized composite PCMs. Despite some carbon-based composite PCMs reviews regarding thermal conductivity enhancement, a comprehensive review of carbon-based composite PCMs does not exist. Herein, a systematic overview of recent carbon-based composite PCMs for thermal storage, transfer, conversion (solar-to-thermal, electro-to-thermal and magnetic-to-thermal), and advanced multifunctional applications, including novel metal organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon materials are provided. The current challenges and future opportunities are also highlighted. The authors hope this review can provide in-depth insights and serve as a useful guide for the targeted design of high-performance carbon-based composite PCMs.

Carbon-Based Composite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage, Transfer, and Conversion.

Thermal behavior of polyethylene glycol based phase change materials for thermal energy storage with multiwall carbon nanotubes additives

With the development of economy, more and more problems related to energy have been paid more and more attentions. Phase change materials (PCMs) can store energy, which can better solve the problems of energy distribution and supply in some aspects. Because PCMs may be endothermic or exothermic at constant phase change temperature, they are favored in various industries. However, PCMs have a problem of poor thermal conductivity, which affects the heat transfer efficiency of the PCMs. This work reviews the methods to enhance thermal conductivity of PCMs. Thermal conductivity of PCMs is mainly enhanced through adding carbon-based materials and metal-based materials, etc. The PCMs with carbon-based materials and metal-based materials have better thermal characteristics and potential prospects of development and application. In addition, determining thermal conductivity methods, including determining thermal conductivity of PCMs theoretically and experimentally are are presented. Finally, the applications of the PCMs in some fields, such as solar energy utilization, building conservation, waste heat recovery and textile regulating temperature, are summarized and analyzed. 

Qian Yang

Papers

The effects of modified carbon nanotubes on the thermal properties of erythritol as phase change materials