Recent advances in polyurethanes as efficient media for thermal energy storage

Abstract

The demand for the development of new techniques for the use and storage of renewable energy has grown steadily due to rapid industrialization, high energy consumption, and the grave consequences of increasing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., global warming and climate change). One of the most applicable techniques for the storage of thermal energy (obtained from renewable resources) is the application of phase change materials (PCMs). Because of their high tailorability, the use of polyurethanes (PUs) is recognized as a preferable option in the fabrication of high efficiency energy storage devices to achieve desired phase change characteristics. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent development, thermophysical properties, and applications of phase change PUs in storing thermal energy. In addition, the discussion was extended to describe the diverse strategies (like structural modification and nanocomposite formulation) used to improve the thermal energy storage characteristics of PUs, the applicability of PUs as an encapsulating material, their current limitations, and the future challenges of this research field.