Graphene-Enhanced Composite Phase Change Materials for Battery Thermal Management

Efficient thermal management of compact and energy-dense battery systems, and especially lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, has arisen to ensure their operational safety, longevity, and reliability. For passive dissipation of heat, phase change materials (PCMs) have shown a promising solution due to their high latent heat storage capacity, but their low thermal conductivity significantly reduces their performance. Therefore, this chapter explores the development and application of graphene-enhanced composite PCMs for efficient thermal management of battery systems, particularly Li-ion batteries. Generally, graphene serves as a nano-enhancer for PCMs due to its higher thermal conductivity and large specific surface area. Moreover, the chapter analyzes recent developments in fabrication, functionalization, and integration based on nanomaterials like graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and graphene nanoplatelets. The main focus is on enhancing thermal conductivity, shape retention, structural stability, and leakage elimination. Additionally, the chapter addresses the incorporation of these nanocomposite PCMs into Li-ion batteries, focusing on heat dissipation efficiency, cycle stability, and temperature steadiness under different operating parameters. Challenges related to uniform dispersion, scalable manufacturing, and a larger life span are also discussed. Overall, the chapter provides a comprehensive overview of graphene-enhanced composite PCMs for passive cooling of battery systems.