Field of phase change energy storage materials

Are phase change materials suitable for thermal energy storage?

Phase change materials (PCMs) having a large latent heat during solid-liquid phase transition are promising for thermal energy storage applications. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity of the majority of promising PCMs (<10 W/ (m ⋅ K)) limits the power density and overall storage efficiency.

What are phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage applications?

Fig. 1. Bibliometric analysis of (a) journal publications and (b) the patents, related to PCMs for thermal energy storage applications. The materials used for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) are called Phase Change Materials (PCMs) .

Are functional phase change materials reversible?

Functional phase change materials (PCMs) capable of reversibly storing and releasing tremendous thermal energy during the isothermal phase change process have recently received tremendous attention in interdisciplinary applications.

Is phase change storage a good energy storage solution?

Therefore, compared to sensible heat storage, phase change storage offers advantages such as higher energy density, greater flexibility, and temperature stability, making it a widely promising energy storage solution.

What are the selection criteria for thermal energy storage applications?

In particular, the melting point, thermal energy storage density and thermal conductivity of the organic, inorganic and eutectic phase change materials are the major selection criteria for various thermal energy storage applications with a wider operating temperature range.

Can spatiotemporal phase change materials be used for solar thermal fuels?

In a recent issue of Angewandte Chemie, Chen et al. proposed a new concept of spatiotemporal phase change materials with high supercooling to realize long-duration storage and intelligent release of latent heat, inspiring the design of advanced solar thermal fuels.