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

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Storage
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Phase change materials (PCMs) store thermal energy but suffer from low thermal conductivity and weak photoabsorption.
• Carbon materials are explored as supporting structures to create shape-stabilized composite PCMs.
• Existing reviews focus on thermal conductivity, lacking a comprehensive overview of diverse carbon-based PCMs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a systematic review of recent carbon-based composite PCMs.
• To cover applications in thermal storage, transfer, and conversion (solar-to-thermal, electro-to-thermal, magnetic-to-thermal).
• To include advanced multifunctional applications and novel MOF-derived carbon materials.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of carbon-based composite PCMs.
• Analysis of materials for thermal storage, transfer, and conversion.
• Inclusion of metal organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon materials.

Main Results:

• Carbon materials significantly enhance PCM properties like thermal conductivity.
• Composite PCMs demonstrate versatility in solar-to-thermal, electro-to-thermal, and magnetic-to-thermal energy conversion.
• Novel MOF-derived carbons offer advanced functionalities for PCMs.

Conclusions:

• Carbon-based composite PCMs offer solutions to limitations of pure PCMs.
• These materials are crucial for efficient thermal energy storage, transfer, and conversion.
• Further research into targeted design of high-performance carbon-based composite PCMs is warranted.