Transforming thermal storage: The role of nano-enhanced PCMs in modern energy applications

Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials (NEPCMs) have emerged as a promising class of thermal energy storage materials due to their superior thermal conductivity, reduced supercooling, and faster charging/discharging rates compared to conventional PCMs. This work presents a comprehensive synthesis of recent developments in the field of NEPCMs, with a focus on thermophysical enhancement mechanisms, structural integration strategies, and their applicability in advanced thermal management systems such as solar thermal collectors and battery thermal management systems (BTMS). Emphasis is placed on evaluating the impact of nanoparticle type, concentration, and dispersion methods on latent heat capacity, thermal response time, and cycling stability. The novelty of this work lies in its interdisciplinary treatment of NEPCM integration, including encapsulation techniques, finned/porous geometry designs, and hybrid system architectures. The paper also critically assesses real-world implementation challenges such as cost, recyclability, nanoparticle toxicity, and scalability while proposing a unified evaluation framework for cross-application benchmarking. Finally, future research directions are outlined to bridge the gap between laboratory performance and commercial deployment.