Review on the preparation and performance of paraffin-based phase change microcapsules for heat storage

The microencapsulation of phase change materials has solved the shortcomings of the traditional single phase change materials, but the microcapsule phase change materials have low thermal conductivity, which greatly limits their application. Advanced thermal management systems realized through the design and manufacture of paraffin-based phase change materials have been widely used in various fields. Therefore, improving the thermal conductivity of microcapsule phase change materials with paraffin as the core material has become a research focus in recent years. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of organic, inorganic, and hybrid shell materials used in encapsulating paraffin, focuses on the enhancement of heat conduction at the core and shell levels, and highlights the problems and solutions in current research.