Recent development on heat transfer and various applications of phase-change materials

Abstract Thermal energy storage and phase change materials (PCMs) have become one of the most important research subjects in recent years. The present paper first introduces the generalities including the properties, advantages and disadvantages of various PCMs. Then the heat transfer modeling and enhancement techniques of Melting and freezing process of PCMs are summarized. Afterwards the application of PCMs in solar, electrical, thermal management, construction, textile, food, and pharmaceutical systems are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and prospects in research and applications of PCMs are presented. Previous studies show that use of PCMs has great potential to reduce energy consumption in various applications leading to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and environmental pollution. Organic PCMs have been widely used and proposed by various researchers due to their better stability and recycling. Using nanoparticles improves the PCMs’ performance and the thermal conductivity of PCMs and phase change time depends on the shape of the nanoparticles and increases with nanoparticle concentration. Some challenges such as high cost, the destructive effect of nanoparticles and PCMs on the human body and the environment, and the durability of PCMs after long-term use should be considered in the future researches.