Shape-stabilized phase change materials of polyolefin/wax blends and their composites A systematic review

The continuous growth of greenhouse gas emission and rising costs of fossil fuels are the major driving force behind high rate of research on effective utilization of energy. The storage of energy through different innovative capacitors and otherwise are some of the trending research. In this review, more about polyolefin/wax blend composites are discussed and explored as a potential system of energy. Phase changes and effect of each component in polyolefin/wax blend composites and eventual energy storage are discussed. Latent heat storage system through phase change materials (PCMs) remained effective way of storing thermal energy. This promoted some applications including solar energy utilization, waste heat recovery and air-conditioned building. There are disadvantages such as poor heat conductors, in which heat transport amongst the components of the phase change material is relatively slow in polyolefin/wax blend composites. In most cases, based on the chemical constituents of the polyolefins and phase change materials, shape-stabilized PCM materials are naturally flammable which limits their applications. This review summarizes the thermal conductivity, mechanical, flammability and thermal properties based on polyolefins/PCMs blends and their composites and highlights possible recommendations.