Recent advances in enhanced thermal property in phase change materials using carbon nanotubes: A review

Abstract

As the demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources rises, considerable efforts have been dedicated to the development of energy storage materials. Phase change materials (PCMs) have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in thermal energy storage (TES) and management systems. However, the low thermal conductivity and potential leakage during phase transition hinder the widespread application of these materials. The integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into PCMs has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance their thermal properties due to their exceptional thermal conductivity and structural characteristics. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advances in the utilization of different types of CNTs to improve the thermal performance of PCMs. We discuss various methods of incorporating CNTs into PCMs, including physical mixing, chemical functionalization, and hybrid nanostructures. Furthermore, we examine the effects of CNT addition on the thermal conductivity, latent heat storage capacity, light-to-thermal conversion efficiency, and thermal stability of PCMs. In addition, we discuss the current challenges and prospects for the practical implementation of CNT-enhanced PCMs in diverse TES applications.