Phase change material infiltrated 3D porous carbon interconnected composites for thermal energy storage

Phase change materials (PCM) are the best retort to the increasing energy concerns as they have the ability to store huge amounts of viable and renewable thermal energy. Conversely, their diminutive thermal conductivity and low photon absorption restrict their utilization and applicability. To eradicate these shortcomings and to upsurge their applications with greater efficiency concerning thermal power, a variety of carbon-based materials including multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene, graphite, carbon aerogel, graphene aerogel, biomass-based 3D carbon, and many others are reported. These carbon-based kinds of stuff proved the best supporting matrix to make shape alleviated carbon-based PCM hybrids for energy applications. This review highlights the fabrication techniques of the carbon-based PCM composites with respect to their application in thermal energy storage (TES) and heat transfer. In particular, the thermal transfer micro-mechanisms in carbon-based PCM composites from the perspective of lattice vibration and phonon transmission are also analyzed. Exfoliated graphite and array-oriented CNTs skeleton are found to be promising candidates for TES PCMs due to their high thermal conductivities (<7 W m−1 K−1). The developments in PCMs composites based on different carbon materials for advanced utilization in various fields like preparation of wearable devices, interior building designs, air-conditioning systems, and power generation are also summarized. This study will offer an inclusive overview of the PCM composites, which will be advantageous for future work with regard to the various energy concerns and sustainable development.