High latent heat phase change materials (PCMs) with low melting temperature for thermal management and storage of electronic devices and power batteries: Critical review

To protect electronic devices and batteries from sharp temperature rise and thermal runaway, active/passive/hybrid thermal management using phase change materials (PCMs) shows prominent and promising potential to maintain them within an optimum temperature range. However, not all PCMs are suitable for practical applications owing to their undesirable thermophysical properties. Therefore, this paper focuses on the selection criteria of PCMs and various techniques for enhancing the thermal conductivity and improving the latent heat of fusion of PCMs. Over 200 PCMs as candidate covering the relevant operating temperature range of 0–100 °C are presented and compared in terms of different selection criteria. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of PCMs employed in cooling of electronic devices and thermal management of power batteries is provided. Finally, future outlooks and research topics on physico-thermal properties enhancement for PCMs and thermal management technologies with PCMs for electronic devices and power batteries are proposed.