Endowing photothermal materials with latent heat storage: A state-of-art review on photothermal PCMs

Photothermal materials are powerful converters for the light-heat transition towards an energy-efficient society. By integrating it with PCMs, it further exhibits thermal regulation properties with an increased heat capacity. This review paper explores the advancements in photothermal materials integrated with PCMs to create photothermal PCMs, which enhance the efficiency and versatility of EM wave harnessing or shielding. We categorize these composite materials into FSPCMs, SSPCMs, and ePCMs, each offering distinct advantages and facing specific challenges. Additionally, the review delves into the various evaluation methods for assessing the performance of photothermal PCMs. The applications of these materials cover a broad field from solar energy harvesting to biomedical applications, showcasing their promising potential in areas that involve EM wave interactions. Despite the expanding frontier of these fascinating materials, many areas remain undeveloped. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field and suggests future research directions to overcome current limitations and enhance the practical deployment of photothermal PCMs.