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Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage
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Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2024) | Viewed by 4027

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiao Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Advanced Materials, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Interests: advanced nanostructured thermal management materials (thermal conduction materials, thermal insulation materials, thermal storage materials) and technologies for developing advanced sustainable thermal management systems; industrialization application research
Dr. Kunjie Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: Solar-thermal storage materials; phase-change building materials; thermal management materials; organic-inorganic hybrid composite materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phase-change materials (PCMs) can store and release heat via the phase transition process. Compared with conventional energy storage technology, phase-change energy storage materials possess significant advantages, such as a high thermal storage density, a low cost and excellent chemical stability, which can effectively enhance energy utilization and optimize the energy structure. In terms of physical properties, the phase-change temperature of PCMs should be within the operating temperature range required by the application, and the latent heat, specific heat, density and thermal conductivity of PCMs should be optimized as much as possible in the unit volume. In terms of chemical properties, PCMs should have good chemical stability and non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-flammable and explosive characteristics. In addition, cost and availability are two economic indicators that are of concern when PCMs are applied in practice. This Special Issue aims to explore the innovative development of PCM materials for thermal energy storage applications. Both original research papers and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Xiao Chen
Dr. Kunjie Yuan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • phase-change materials
  • thermal energy storage
  • energy conversion
  • thermal management
  • thermal conductivity
  • experiments
  • numerical models

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5296 KiB  
Article
Bio-Based Phase Change Materials for Sustainable Development
by Mehdi Zadshir, Byung-Wook Kim and Huiming Yin
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4816; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194816 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 430
Abstract
The increasing global population has intensified the demand for energy and food, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from both sectors. To mitigate these impacts and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), passive thermal storage methods, particularly using phase change materials (PCMs), have [...] Read more.
The increasing global population has intensified the demand for energy and food, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from both sectors. To mitigate these impacts and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), passive thermal storage methods, particularly using phase change materials (PCMs), have become crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions across various industries. This paper discusses the state of the art of bio-based phase change materials (bio-PCMs), derived from animal fats and plant oils as sustainable alternatives to traditional paraffin-based PCMs, while addressing the challenges of developing bio-PCMs with suitable phase change properties for practical applications. A comprehensive process is proposed to convert bacon fats to bio-PCMs, which offer advantages such as non-toxicity, availability, cost-effectiveness, and stability, aligning with multiple SDGs. The synthesis process involves hydrolysis to break down fat molecules obtained from the extracted lipid, followed by three additional independent processes to further tune the phase change properties of PCMs. The esterification significantly decreases the phase transition temperatures while slightly improving latent heat; the UV-crosslinking moderately raises both the phase transition temperature and latent heat; the crystallization remarkably increases the both. The future research and guidelines are discussed to develop the large scale manufacturing with cost effectiveness, to optimize synthesis process by multiscale modeling, and to improve thermal conductivity and latent heat capacities at the same time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage)
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16 pages, 4357 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Phase-Change Microcapsules with High Encapsulation Efficiency, Enhancement of Infrared Stealth, and Thermal Stability
by Chun-Wei Chang, Zheng-Ting Chen and Yeng-Fong Shih
Materials 2024, 17(19), 4778; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194778 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 419
Abstract
Due to energy shortages and the greenhouse effect, the efficient use of energy through phase-change materials (PCMs) is gaining increased attention. In this study, magnetic phase-change microcapsules (Mag-mc) were prepared by suspension polymerization. The shell layer of the microcapsules was formed by copolymerizing [...] Read more.
Due to energy shortages and the greenhouse effect, the efficient use of energy through phase-change materials (PCMs) is gaining increased attention. In this study, magnetic phase-change microcapsules (Mag-mc) were prepared by suspension polymerization. The shell layer of the microcapsules was formed by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate and triethoxyethylene silane, with the latter enhancing the compatibility of the shell layer with the magnetic additive. Ferric ferrous oxide modified by oleic acid (Fe3O4(m)) was added as the magnetic additive. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) testing revealed that the content of phase-change materials in microcapsules without and with ferric ferrous oxide were 79.77% and 96.63%, respectively, demonstrating that the addition of Fe3O4(m) improved the encapsulation efficiency and enhanced the energy storage ability of the microcapsules. Laser particle size analysis showed that the overall average particle sizes for the microcapsules without and with ferric ferrous oxide were 3.48 μm and 2.09 μm, respectively, indicating that the incorporation of magnetic materials reduced the size and distribution of the microcapsules. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the microcapsules was enhanced by the addition of Fe3O4(m). Moreover, the infrared emissivity of the microcapsule-containing film decreased from 0.77 to 0.72 with the addition of Fe3O4(m) to the shell of microcapsules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage)
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Graphical abstract

26 pages, 10106 KiB  
Article
Multi-Scale Study of a Phase Change Material on a Tropical Island for Evaluating Its Impact on Human Comfort in the Building Sector
by Lisa Liu, Nadia Hammami, Dimitri Bigot, Bruno Malet-Damour and Jean-Pierre Habas
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3241; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133241 - 2 Jul 2024
Viewed by 720
Abstract
Our study explores the utilization of a phase change material (PCM) to optimize energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings in tropical climates. Employing a comprehensive multi-scale approach, this research encompasses both microscopic and macroscopic analyses to rigorously evaluate the PCM’s performance under [...] Read more.
Our study explores the utilization of a phase change material (PCM) to optimize energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings in tropical climates. Employing a comprehensive multi-scale approach, this research encompasses both microscopic and macroscopic analyses to rigorously evaluate the PCM’s performance under various environmental conditions. It evaluates the effect of PCMs on ambient conditions in the face of temperature variations and high humidity, utilizing experimental methods at different scales (microscopic and macroscopic). Microscopic analyses reveal the composite structure of the PCM, consisting of microencapsulated paraffin within a cellulose fiber matrix. At a macroscopic scale, experiments using two real-scale test cells evaluated thermal performance and its influence on thermal comfort. Temperature and humidity data were meticulously collected over an extended period to assess the PCM’s impact on indoor regulation. We employed type T thermocouples and flux meters to monitor thermal dynamics and energy flux across the building walls. This setup facilitated a detailed comparison of temperature variations and thermal comfort metrics between the PCM-equipped test cell and a control cell. The results indicate a seasonal duality of the PCM: beneficial in winter for thermal regulation but problematic in summer due to excessive heat retention. The conclusions highlight the importance of carefully selecting and adapting PCMs for tropical climates, thus providing valuable insights for designing sustainable buildings in regions facing similar climatic challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage)
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21 pages, 24169 KiB  
Article
A Novel Sandwich-Structured Phase Change Composite with Efficient Photothermal Conversion and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Interface
by Jun Xu, Yuanyuan Li, Zhangxinyu Zhou and Xiaomin Cheng
Materials 2024, 17(4), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040961 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1040
Abstract
Stability and multifunctionality greatly extend the applications of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal storage and management. Herein, CuS and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto cotton-derived carbon to develop a multifunctional interface with efficient photothermal conversion and electromagnetic interference [...] Read more.
Stability and multifunctionality greatly extend the applications of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal storage and management. Herein, CuS and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto cotton-derived carbon to develop a multifunctional interface with efficient photothermal conversion and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties. 1,3:2,4-di-(3,4-dimethyl) benzylidene sorbitol (DMDBS) and expanded graphite (EG) formed an organic/inorganic three-dimensional network framework to encapsulate 1-octadecanol (OD) by self-assembly. Finally, multifunctional shape-stabilized PCMs (SSPCMs) with the sandwich structure were prepared by the hot-press process. Multifunctional SSPCMs with high load OD (91%) had favorable thermal storage density (200.6 J/g), thermal stability, and a relatively wider available temperature range with improved thermal conductivity to support the thermal storage and management realization. Furthermore, due to the synergistic enhancement of two nanoparticles and the construction of the carbon network with cotton carbon and EG, highly efficient photothermal conversion (94.4%) and EMI shielding (68.9 dB average, X-band) performance were achieved at about 3 mm thickness, which provided the possibility of the multifunctional integration of PCMs. Conclusively, this study provides new insights towards integrating solar energy utilization with the comprehensive protection of related electronics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage)
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16 pages, 8378 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Impact of Cell Inclination on Phase Change Material Melting in Square Cells: A Numerical Study
by Farhan Lafta Rashid, Abbas Fadhil Khalaf, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Anmar Dulaimi and Arman Ameen
Materials 2024, 17(3), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030633 - 28 Jan 2024
Viewed by 930
Abstract
In order to determine the ideal degree of inclination that should be employed for constructing effective thermal energy storage systems, it is important to examine the impact of inclination angle on the melting behavior of phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffin wax [...] Read more.
In order to determine the ideal degree of inclination that should be employed for constructing effective thermal energy storage systems, it is important to examine the impact of inclination angle on the melting behavior of phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffin wax within a square cell. In consequence, this would guarantee the greatest capacity for energy release and storage. Additionally, analyzing this influence aids engineers in creating systems that enhance heat flow from external sources to the PCM and vice versa. To find out how the cell’s inclination angle affects the melting of PCM of paraffin wax (RT42) inside a square cell, a numerical analysis is carried out using the ANSYS/FLUENT 16 software. Specifically, the temperature and velocity distributions, together with the evolution of the melting process, will be shown for various inclination angles, and a thorough comparison will be made to assess the influence of inclination angle on the PCM melting process and its completion. The findings demonstrated that when the cell’s inclination angle increased from 0° to 15° and from 0° to 30° and 45°, respectively, the amount of time required to finish the melting process increased by 15%, 42%, and 71%, respectively. Additionally, after 210 min of operation, the PCM’s maximum temperature is 351.5 K with a 0° angle of inclination (horizontal) against 332.5 K with an angle of inclination of 45°. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage)
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