Zambia s new phase change energy storage material

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 phase change materials useful for thermal energy storage?

As evident from the literature, development of phase change materials is one of the most active research fields for thermal energy storage with higher efficiency. This review focuses on the application of various phase change materials based on their thermophysical properties.

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 super-cooling to realize long-duration storage and intelligent release of latent heat, inspiring the design of advanced solar thermal fuels.

What temperature should a PCM have a phase change?

For this purpose, the material should have a phase change between 100 and 220 °C with a high latent heat of fusion. Although a range of PCMs are known for this temperature range, many of these materials are not practically viable for stability and safety reasons, a perspective not often clear in the primary literature.

Can Phase Change Materials (PCMs) absorb heat?

PCMs can absorb and/or release a remarkable amount of latent heat as a result of a phase transition when the phase transition temperature is within a specified temperature range. Currently, heat accumulators based on phase transitions are most widely used.