Structurally advanced hybrid support composite phase change materials: Architectural synergy

Phase change materials (PCMs) have rediscovered and receiving increasing attention in the fabrication of state-of-the-art renewable energy technologies owing to their outstanding role in controlling thermal energy storage and release. Nevertheless, their low shape stability, insufficient thermal conductivity, and deficiency in responding to multiphase energy sources hinder their application in various thermal management systems. Assembling PCMs with porous supporting materials is considered a promising approach to overcome the aforementioned challenges. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in the design of composite PCMs based on hybrid nanoadditives, including the fabrication and classification of hybrid materials and their potential applications. A strong emphasis is placed on the need to realize structurally advanced and multifunctional composite PCMs, including portable electronics, thermal management of batteries, smart drug control and release, smart textiles, air-conditioning, photothermal, and electromagnetic-thermal energy storage and conversion applications. The synergistic effects of individual supporting materials on the thermal properties of PCMs were also reviewed. We hope that this review contributes to the emerging development of future energy storage and conversion, as well as the utilization and mastery of a multitude of nanoadditives of different dimensionality for advanced composite PCM synthesis.