Recent frontiers in solar energy storage via nanoparticles enhanced phase change materials: Succinct review on basics, applications, and their environmental aspects

Abstract

AbstractModern so‐called renewable energy storage technologies are actually broadening concerns over future sustainability awareness for facing the fossil fuel scarcity crisis. We need to be more innovative in using and storing the free‐cost energy sources that are essentially needed to be adopted in our modern societies. Several initiatives have been addressed for renewable energy storing capabilities. Recently, one of the areas gaining scientists attention is the solar energy storage via phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs are those materials that signified by storing surplus solar energy and releasing the accumulated energy collected when it is in deficiency for its later use in which they are situated. This ambition is based on capturing the heat provided by the solar field for useful utility applications, such as power production, solar cooling, and domestic water heating. This review is aiming to assist the researchers by providing an overview of PCMs basics, classifications and their technological applications. Additionally, a detailed information and literature reviewed toward enhancing the thermal conductivity of PCMs' systems via numerous nanomaterials additions are discussed and their various thermal energy storage applications are overviewed. The pros and cons of nanoadditives PCM are also discussed. Future perspectives and PCMs trends are provided.