MXene-based phase change materials for solar thermal energy storage

MXene is a new and excellent class of two-dimensional (2D) materials discovered in the last decade. The community of MXenes has drawn significant research attention because of its varied chemical structure and outstanding physicochemical characteristics in various fields, including thermal energy storage and environmental remediation applications. In the field of Material science, traditional material used in thermal energy storage devices exhibits several disadvantages, such as low thermal conductivity, reusability, cycling life and thermal storage capability. Therefore, the advanced 2D material MXene, because of various excellent characteristics, is extensively used in thermal energy storage applications. To capture thermal energy for effective use, convert solar energy to electrical or thermal energy, and store waste heat for a specific use, phase change material (PCM) may be used as a latent heat storage system. High-performance composite PCM has recently seen significant development as advanced energy storage materials. The phase change materials are extensively utilized as latent heat storage systems. PCM enables the storage of solar passive and other radiant heat as latent heat within a particular temperature, resulting in lower energy consumption, increased thermal comfort by trying to smooth out temperature changes during the day, and a decrease and shift in peak loads. Paraffin generally has a thermal conductivity in the ranges of 0.15–0.2 W/mK. It increases to 56.8 % by doping silicon nitride (Si3N4) on the surface of organic phase change material paraffin. This study presents the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and trustworthy information on the role of MXene-based PCM in thermal energy storage applications. This review paper focuses on the thermal energy storage applications of 2D PCM. The thermal energy storage applications included Photovoltaic PCM, Solar water heater systems, Solar greenhouses, thermal Buildings, Cold storage, and air conditioning and refrigeration, respectively. In addition, an extensive summary of synthesis approaches of 2D materials and the effect of coating/incorporating substance loading on their performance was narrated. Furthermore, a brief review of organic, inorganic and ionic liquid based PCM was elaborated. Finally, future challenges and prospects for PCM were presented before the conclusion. Finally, this comprehensive review is helpful for the advancement and application of MXenes in thermal energy storage applications.