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Aerogels Meet Phase Change Materials: Fundamentals, Advances, and Beyond
Panpan Liu1, Xiao Chen1, Yang Li1
1Institute of Advanced Materials, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P.R. China.
Aerogel-based composite phase change materials (PCMs) offer advanced thermal energy storage with unique properties. This review explores their multifunctional applications and design strategies for future breakthroughs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Aerogels possess unique properties like low density, high porosity, and tunable conductivity.
- Aerogels are ideal supports for phase change materials (PCMs), creating advanced composite PCMs.
- Aerogel-based composite PCMs represent a cutting-edge thermal energy storage (TES) concept.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the state-of-the-art advances in aerogel-based composite PCMs.
- To highlight the multifunctional capabilities of these advanced materials.
- To provide guidance for the rational design of novel aerogel-based composite PCMs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of aerogel-based composite PCMs.
- Analysis of structure-property relationships in aerogel composites.
- Exploration of emerging interdisciplinary research, including 3D printing.
Main Results:
- Aerogels enable high energy storage density and advanced functionalities in PCMs.
- Key applications include acoustic-thermal and solar-thermal-electricity energy conversion, flame retardancy, and thermal infrared stealth.
- Integration with 3D printing offers new avenues for PCM design.
Conclusions:
- Aerogel-based composite PCMs are crucial for high-performance, multifunctional thermal energy storage.
- Further research is needed to explore their full potential in diverse applications.
- This review aims to stimulate interdisciplinary research and commercialization.
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