Polymer-based supporting materials and polymer-encapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage: A review on the recent advances of materials, synthesis, and characterization techniques

Phase change materials (PCMs) can be classified as smart materials having its applications in varied fields like domestic and commercial refrigerators, solar absorption chillers, air conditioning, free and radiative cooling, solar air heaters, solar stills, solar absorption cooling, electric and electronic devices for cooling purposes and in textiles. Here, in this review, the various polymer-based and encapsulated PCMs used for fulfilling the above applications are discussed along with their varied synthesis/fabrication methods. Furthermore, chemical characterization is discussed by FTIR for understanding the chemical structure along with functional groups present in the materials. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is also critically discussed for understanding the thermal stability of the Polymer PCM or the phase change composites and the latent heat of PCM melting was also explored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for various PCM which gives insight into the thermal energy storage capability and property. The inbuilt surface structure of the polymer PCM was also tried to be investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which when understood gives a clear picture about the structure-property relationship.Highlights Polymeric supporting materials and polymer encapsulation on PCM were reviewed. The materials used and the synthesis of polymeric PCM were studied in depth. Chemical characterization was reviewed for chemical structure. Thermal stability checks by TGA and latent heat prediction was done by DSC. Morphology was reviewed using SEM for the structure-property relationship. Highlights of the current review. image