Advancements\nin Thermal Energy Storage: A Review of\nMaterial Innovations and Strategic Approaches for Phase Change Materials

As the world continues to seek more sustainable energy\nmanagement\nsolutions, phase change materials (PCMs) are becoming an increasingly\nimportant shift in thermal energy storage (TES). From building energy\nmanagement to solar energy storage, PCMs offer a more attractive and\neffective heat storage solution and help reduce energy consumption,\nincrease energy efficiency, and lower carbon emissions. However, the\nscientific and technological issues with the current PCMs-based technologies,\nlike low TES properties including low thermal conductivity, latent\nheat, thermal instability, degradation, and leakage of PCMs are the\nmajor drawbacks in their practical applications. In this article,\nthe thermophysical properties of PCMs were critically overviewed along\nwith the comparison of different strategies conventionally used for\nsynthesizing PCMs such as impregnation and encapsulation. Furthermore,\na detailed discussion on improvement in TES properties of PCMs is\nprovided by including different dimensional nanomaterials and nondimensional\nmaterials along with strategic improvements in PCM-based thermal management\nsystems. The current challenges in the field of PCM technology are\nalso highlighted to further optimize their thermal storage properties,\nenhancement techniques, and cost-effective manufacturing methods.\nThe discussion of the potential cost-saving, economically feasible,\nand environmental benefits of PCM-based energy storage systems is\nalso conferred. Finally, future direction and recommendations in PCM\nadvancement through hybridized advanced nanomaterials are provided,\nwhich help open new insight toward the design and modulation of highly\nthermally stabilized PCM-based thermal management systems.