Micro/nano encapsulated phase change material: materials, preparation, and emerging advances in the solar energy field

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) possess high latent heat during the solid–liquid phase transition, making them promising materials for thermal energy storage. However, challenges such as corrosion, leakage, subcooling, and phase separation significantly hinder their application. To address these issues, the preparation of phase change micro–nanocapsules has been explored. Phase change micro–nanoencapsulation technology mitigates the problem of unmatched heat supply and demand. It has been extensively researched in solar thermal utilization systems. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the types of PCMs, methods for preparing phase change micro–nanocapsules, and their applications in solar thermal systems. This paper introduces the material selection for phase change micro–nanocapsules, their preparation methods, and the photothermal conversion performance. A comprehensive review of the recent research progress in micro–nanocapsule technology within solar energy systems is provided, explores the current research status, and discusses future research trends.