Phase Change Materials: An Overview

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have emerged as one of the most promising thermal energy storage materials owing to their ability to absorb and release substantial amounts of latent heat during phase transitions at nearly constant temperatures. Their unique thermophysical characteristics make them highly suitable for a broad range of applications, including solar thermal energy storage, building energy conservation, waste heat recovery, electronics cooling, battery thermal management, refrigeration, cold chain logistics, and electric vehicle systems. As the global demand for sustainable energy technologies continues to grow, PCM-based thermal energy storage systems have gained significant attention for their potential to enhance energy efficiency, reduce peak energy demand, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of Phase Change Materials for thermal energy storage, covering their fundamental principles, classification, thermophysical properties, and operating mechanisms.