A review on nano enhanced phase change materials: an enhancement in thermal properties and specific heat capacity

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM) has gain attention for years as a suitable medium in thermal energy storage system. Previous studies reported the use of PCM on PV panel increases the efficiency of heat storage system. One of the most common method to increase the thermal conductivity and improving the thermos physical properties of PCM is by adding nanoparticles making it as nano enhanced PCM. This review paper focuses on categories of PCM including organic, inorganic and eutectics. The enhancement of thermos physical properties such as latent heat and thermal conductivity of phase change materials is discussed. However, there are very few studies reported on specific heat capacity of nano-enhanced PCM (NEPCM). Thus the current study focuses on the enhancement of specific heat capacity for NEPCM. On the other hand, some PCM has disadvantages such as supercooling and combustible that needs to be consider for further improvement is determined.