Nano-enhanced phase change materials: A review of thermo-physical properties, applications and challenges

Thermal storage material involving phase change material (PCM) has attracted interest among researchers and engineers. It was found that phase change material has the capability to store and release large amount of latent heat during phase transition period. The effectiveness of these capabilities is affected by low thermal conductivity and sub-cooling characteristics. In order to increase the thermal conductivity of PCM, thermal conductive substance such as nanoparticles are added to the former. The resulting material is known as nano-enhanced PCM. This review intends to discuss ideal characteristics of nano-enhanced PCM, thermo-physical properties, applications as well as the challenges and direction of this new material. It is hoped that this review will be able to provide some insight to the readers to explore further the fundamental properties and application of nano-enhanced PCM.