Review on the development of high temperature phase change material composites for solar thermal energy storage

The development of cost-effective and reliable high temperature phase change materials (HTPCMs) for solar thermal energy storage is an important step in the future application of concentrated solar thermal technologies. Inorganic eutectic salts relying on their advantages such as low cost, high melting temperatures and latent heats of fusion, are promising candidates for HTPCMs. However, both the thermal conductivity and thermal stability of the inorganic salts are relatively low. In addition, they have corrosion issues with containment materials at high temperatures. All of these issues have been problematic for their use in this application. A potential solution to these issues is the development of HTPCM composites, where high temperature molten salts as PCMs are encapsulated by supporting materials to achieve improved corrosion resistance with containment materials and enhanced thermal conductivity and thermal stability. This paper reviews current trends and recent developments in the preparation and classification of high temperature (> 300 degrees C) PCM composites. The effect of developed HTPCM composites on their melting point, latent heat of fusion, thermal stability and heat transfer performance are also discussed in the context of this review.