The Impact of Additives on the Main Properties of Phase Change Materials

Ewelina Radomska, Lukasz Mika and Karol Sztekler
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Ewelina Radomska: Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 St., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Lukasz Mika: Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 St., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Karol Sztekler: Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30 St., 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-34

Abstract: The main drawback of phase change materials (PCMs) is their low thermal conductivity, which limits the possibilities of a wide range of implementations. Therefore, the researchers, as found in the literature, proposed several methods to improve the thermal conductivity of PCMs, including inserting high thermal conductivity materials in nano-, micro-, and macro-scales, as well as encapsulation of PCMs. However, these inserts impact the other properties of PCMs like latent heat, melting temperature, thermal stability, and cycling stability. Hence, this paper aims to review the available in the open literature research on the main properties of enhanced PCMs that undergo solid–liquid transition. It is found that inserting high thermal conductivity materials and encapsulation results in improved thermal conductivity of PCMs, but it decreases their latent heat. Moreover, the insertions can act as nucleating agents, and the supercooling degree can be reduced. Some of the thermal conductivity enhancers (TCEs) may prevent PCMs from leakage. However, some test results are inconsistent and some seem to be questionable. Therefore, this review indicates these discrepancies and gaps in knowledge and points out possible directions for further research.

Keywords: phase change materials; latent heat; melting time; thermal conductivity; thermal stability; cycling stability; solid–liquid transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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