A mini review on paraffin-graphene and related hybrid phase change materials for building energy applications

The thermal energy management in building is gaining the significant attention in the present energy scenario to manage the temperature. Graphene-related additives are known for their exceptional properties viz. excellent binding and high intrinsic thermal conductivity. The hybrid phase change materials (PCMs) with graphene additives have been applied to enhance the thermal conductivity. Graphene-related materials are drastically used to improve the properties of PCMs. Incorporating graphene-related fillers increase the thermal conductivity and preserve the latent heat storage ability of hydrocarbon-based PCMs. Also, graphene-related fillers can prevent the leaching properties of the PCMs. These composites can ease concerns regarding energy demand to some level by reversibly storing an incredible quantity of renewable as well as sustainable thermal energy helping to keep up thermal comfort and this has motivated authors to write present mini review. In this review, authors have described PCMs, preparation methods, graphene, graphene oxide, and their composite related PCMs, nanographene added PCMs and their applications in building envelopes utilizing graphene and relative additives.