Research progress on the influence of nano-additives on phase change materials

During phase transition, phase change materials absorb or release a large amount of latent heat, which makes them extremely important in the field of energy storage. Although the pure phase change material of a single substance is durable, it also has the defects of low thermal conductivity and high degree of supercooling. Therefore, researchers usually add various materials to phase change materials to improve the properties of phase change materials and make them have better application value. The nano-additives are added to the phase change material to form a nano-enhanced phase change material, which can improve the thermal conductivity, latent heat, supercooling and nucleation of the phase change material. This paper summarizes a series of experimental research progress in three aspects: the types of nano-additives, the properties of nano-additives and the effects of nano-additives on the thermophysics of phase change materials, and points out their respective characteristics and scope of application. Although the types of nano-additives all play a role in enhancing the thermal conductivity of the phase change material, the thermal conductivity enhancement of the phase change material is not the same degree, but there is a strong and weak order of influence. The properties of nano-additives will also affect the thermal conductivity, fluidity, stability, dispersion uniformity and other properties of phase change materials. This paper summarizes the current problems encountered by nano-enhanced phase change materials, and provides reference for the application of nano-enhanced phase change materials in the future.