Characteristics, Encapsulation Strategies, and Applications of Al and Its Alloy Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Among metal‐based phase change materials (PCMs), Al and its alloys have garnered significant attention due to their high latent heat and high thermal conductivity. However, challenges such as leakage, corrosion, and oxidation have limited their widespread application. Numerous researches have demonstrated that encapsulating Al and its alloy PCMs is one effective way to address these problems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, encapsulation strategies, and applications of Al and its alloy PCMs. First, the advantages and thermal properties of Al and its alloy PCMs are introduced, and their problems are then discussed. Subsequently, various encapsulation strategies that are expected to solve the above problems are summarized and compared. Additionally, the applications of Al and its alloy PCMs in solar thermal energy storage, catalysis, and electric vehicles are reviewed. Finally, current challenges, potential solutions, and the key direct of future study are presented.