Materials for thermochemical energy storage and conversion: attributes for low-temperature applications

The development of systems that can efficiently store and manage thermal energy - i.e., heat - would improve the efficiencies of numerous processes throughout multiple sectors of the global economy. Nevertheless, the development of these thermal storage devices remains at a relatively early stage. To engage more researchers in the development of these devices and to accelerate their commercialization, this review presents an introduction to the properties of thermal storage materials that absorb and release heat through thermochemical reactions. Thermochemical materials typically exhibit the largest energy densities among all approaches to material-based heat storage. Nevertheless, they suffer from limited reaction rates and poor cycle life. An additional challenge is the multiscale nature of the energy storage process, which ranges from atomistic interactions that govern the storage of heat through alteration of chemical bonds, to mesoscale processes that control the transport of mass and heat. Following an overview of general concepts related to thermal energy storage, emphasis is placed on describing properties relevant for low-temperature applications. These applications include domestic heat storage/amplification (hot water heating), adsorptive cooling (air conditioning), and heat-moisture recuperation. Subsequently, detailed introductions are provided to the mechanisms and materials relevant for the three primary approaches to low-temperature thermochemical storage, including: (i) absorption in solids (hydrates, ammoniates, and methanolates); (ii) adsorption in porous hosts (zeolites, metal-organic frameworks); and (iii) dilution in liquids. For each category, advantages and shortcomings of benchmark and emerging materials are discussed. Finally, challenges and opportunities are highlighted for research aimed at developing optimal materials for thermochemical energy storage.