A comprehensive review on latent heat and thermal conductivity of nanoparticle dispersed phase change material for low-temperature applications

Abstract Today’s power infrastructure involves unpredictability in both demand and supply. Power management using energy storage is becoming a promising method to have sustainable energy utilization. In recent times, energy storage using latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) technology is receiving more considerable attention to reducing grid energy demands. LHTES technology have been utilized by using phase change material (PCM)for the last two decades. This review focuses on the change in latent heat and thermal conductivity of nanoparticle dispersed phase change material (NDPCM) between the operating temperature range of 20˚C and 37˚C as required in low-temperature applications. The critical feature of this review is that it analyses both the scientific reasons behind the increase or decrease in latent heat and thermal conductivity of base PCM. Dispersion of nanoparticles as well as supporting materials into the PCM matrix and the impact of influencing parameters like size, shape and the material of the nanoparticles on the thermal properties of PCM. Dispersion of nanoparticle increases, the thermal conductivity gradually increases while the latent heat decreases. This indicates that the improvement in NDPCM thermal conductivity using nanoparticle will be accompanied by reduced latent heat in the NDPCM. However, Thermal conductivity enhancement in NDPCM was higher for carbon-based nanomaterial than for metal or metal oxide nanomaterial. Thus, the review will be helpful for new researchers in understanding the underlying science behind the change in critical thermal properties of the base PCM and to further improve the performance of the LHTES system.