Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2023, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (4): 1110-1130.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0696

• Energy Storage Materials and Devices • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Progress in synthesis and application of microcapsule phase-change materials

Qi ZHANG(), Chongyang LIU, Jun SONG, Xueling ZHANG, Yinlei LI, Yanfang LI   

  1. College of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 459001, Henan, China
  • Received:2022-11-25 Revised:2023-01-26 Online:2023-04-05 Published:2023-05-08
  • Contact: Qi ZHANG E-mail:1990922zhangqi@zzuli.edu.cn

Abstract:

Thermal energy is the most used form of energy, and thus, it is important to improve its utilization rate in practical applications. Phase-change materials are a thermal energy storage medium that can achieve a high utilization rate of energy by storing or releasing latent heat, thus reducing the emission of carbon dioxide. However, phase-change materials have certain limitations, such as subcooling, low thermal conductivity, liquid leakage, and corrosion problems, in practical applications. These materials can be wrapped by a certain packaging technology to prepare microcapsules in order to avoid any liquid leakage. Modification of shell materials can result in better mechanical strength, improved thermal stability, and high thermal conductivity. Phase-change microcapsules can be categorized into micron and nanomicrocapsules at the microscopic scale. Numerous scholars have studied the preparation and application of phase-change microcapsules in the field of thermal energy storage. Thus, this article presents a detailed review of the synthetic materials, preparation methods, and application fields of phase-change microcapsules, focusing on the types of core and shell materials and their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, this review emphasizes preparation methods such as physical methods (electrohydrodynamic encapsulation, spray drying method), chemical methods (emulsion polymerization, mini-emulsion polymerization, in situ polymerization and interfacial polymerization), and physical-chemical methods (coacervation and sol-gel method). Finally, the review introduces and prospects the application of phase-change microcapsules in the fields of construction, temperature-controlled textiles, and solar energy utilization.

Key words: thermal energy storage, phase change microcapsules, core and shell materials, phase change material

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