The microencapsulation, thermal enhancement, and applications of medium and high‐melting temperature phase change materials: A review

Abstract

Summary Microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) have made tremendous advancements in recent years, owing to their increased demand for a variety of energy storage applications. In this paper, current microencapsulation techniques, enhancement, and use of medium‐ and high‐melting phase change materials (PCMs) are reviewed, as well as their potential benefits and limitations. The most frequently employed PCMs for medium‐ and high‐temperature applications were recognized as salt‐based, metallic, inorganic compound, and eutectic. Meanwhile, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene‐butylacrylate (PSBA), polyethyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate (PECA), and polyurethane were widely used as polymer shell materials for encapsulating medium‐ and high‐melting point PCMs via chemical method, whereas inorganic silica shell was synthesized via various techniques. Hydrolysis followed by heat‐oxidation treatment has been extensively studied since 2015 to encapsulate either metal or alloy within Al2O3 shells. Different techniques were developed to generate void between core and shell material to accommodate volume expansion during phase transition. Numerous approaches, including the incorporation of metal particles, carbon, and ceramic, have been found as ways to enhance the thermal performance of PCMs. Multiple storage arrangements were also established to be an effective way of enhancing the overall efficiency of medium‐high melting PCM storage systems. Finally, the paper highlights the potential of medium‐ and high‐melting temperature PCMs for solar power generation, solar cooking, and industrial waste heat recovering applications.

Review on Nanotechnology Applications in Nuclear Energy

“…The potential of medium-high melting temperature PCMs is often limited by barriers such as low thermal conductivity and low efficiency of PCM storage systems. Some past studies have therefore looked at various methods of enhancing their thermal conductivity with materials such as metal particles, carbon, and ceramic-based additives [11].…”

Fabrication and performance of phase change microcapsules with fatty acid monoglyceride based waterborne polyurethane as the shell

“…14 Microencapsulating the phase change material can effectively shield the influence of external environmental impacts on the PCMs, slow down the diffusion and volatilization of the PCMs to the environment and improve the heat storage performance of the PCMs. [15][16][17] Urea-formaldehyde resin (UF) and melamineformaldehyde resin (MF) are the most common shell materials for PCMs microcapsules, but the formaldehyde used in the preparation process may endanger human health and cause environmental pollution. [18][19][20][21] Therefore, it is very important to develop formaldehyde-free microcapsule shell materials.…”

A solar-powered interfacial evaporation system based on MoS2-decorated magnetic phase-change microcapsules for sustainable seawater desalination

“…2 With these attractive features, phase change materials have been broadly utilized in waste heat recovery, food and pharmaceutical product preservation, thermal management of Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors, and energy-saving buildings. 3 Particularly, phase change materials can store waste heat derived from solar illumination and then release it in the lack of sunlight and therefore are recognized as one of the promising materials for solar energy utilization to face intermittent solar irradiation. However, the phase transitions of phase change materials result in leakage and exudation problems due to their fluidity in the molten state, restricting their long-term applications in various areas.…”