Recent advancements in PCMs have focused on enhancing their thermal conductivity, a critical bottleneck for efficient energy storage. Researchers have developed nanocomposite PCMs by embedding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) into paraffin wax, achieving thermal conductivity improvements of up to 300%. For instance, a study demonstrated that adding 5 wt% CNTs increased the thermal conductivity from 0.2 W/m·K to 0.8 W/m·K. These innovations enable faster heat transfer rates, reducing the charging and discharging times of thermal energy storage systems by up to 50%, as evidenced by experimental results:
Another frontier is the development of eutectic PCMs with tailored phase-change temperatures for specific applications. By combining organic and inorganic compounds, researchers have created eutectic mixtures with phase-change temperatures ranging from -50°C to 200°C, suitable for diverse industries such as refrigeration and concentrated solar power (CSP). A recent study highlighted a eutectic PCM composed of capric acid and lauric acid, exhibiting a phase-change temperature of 21°C and a latent heat capacity of 180 kJ/kg. This material achieved a thermal cycling stability of over 10,000 cycles without significant degradation, making it ideal for building energy efficiency:
Microencapsulation of PCMs has emerged as a breakthrough to prevent leakage and enhance durability. Advanced techniques like in-situ polymerization have enabled the encapsulation of paraffin-based PCMs in polyurethane shells, achieving encapsulation efficiencies exceeding 95%. A notable example is a microencapsulated PCM with a core-shell ratio of 80:20, demonstrating a latent heat storage capacity of 150 kJ/kg and a melting point of 25°C. These microcapsules exhibited negligible leakage after 5,000 thermal cycles, making them highly suitable for textile and construction applications:
The integration of PCMs with renewable energy systems has shown remarkable potential in addressing intermittency issues. In CSP plants, researchers have deployed molten salt-based PCMs with phase-change temperatures around 300°C and latent heat capacities exceeding 500 kJ/kg. A pilot project demonstrated that incorporating these PCMs increased the plant’s operational hours by 30%, reducing reliance on auxiliary heating systems. Additionally, simulations showed that integrating PCMs into photovoltaic (PV) panels reduced module temperatures by up to 15°C, improving PV efficiency by 5-8%:
Finally, sustainability-driven research has explored bio-based PCMs derived from renewable sources like fatty acids and plant oils. A novel bio-PCM synthesized from soybean oil exhibited a phase-change temperature of 18°C and a latent heat capacity of 160 kJ/kg while maintaining biodegradability over its lifecycle. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) revealed that bio-PCMs reduced carbon emissions by up to 40% compared to synthetic counterparts, aligning with global decarbonization goals. These materials are particularly promising for eco-friendly building applications:
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