A review on micro-encapsulated phase change materials (EPCM) used for thermal management and energy storage systems: Fundamentals, materials, synthesis and applications

Encapsulated phase change materials (EPCMs) have gained significant attention in various fields related to cooling and heating, particularly in thermal energy storage, owing to their ability to absorb and release a large amount of thermal energy. By encapsulating phase change materials in protective shells, EPCMs can overcome the issue of leakage during the phase transition process and can enhance the thermal stability, reliability, and performance of PCMs. Moreover, they can be tailored to meet specific application requirements, such as different melting points and thermal conductivities. This review paper serves as a useful guide for researchers who are interested in developing new EPCMs for various applications, including thermal energy storage and management systems. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of EPCMs, including shell materials used for encapsulation, encapsulation methods, EPCMs characteristics and thermal properties, commercially available EPCMs, as well as up-to-date studies, applications, experimental analysis, and various mathematical and numerical models to analyze the behavior of EPCMs.