Singgih Dwi Prasetyo
Solar thermal technologies increasingly rely on advanced materials to mitigate heat losses and enhance operational stability. This study systematically evaluates phase change materials (PCMs), nano-enhanced PCMs (NePCMs), and nanofluids, focusing on the trade-off between thermal performance and long-term stability. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines across major databases, screening 320 records and synthesizing data from 30 eligible studies. Random-effects models quantified pooled effect sizes for thermal conductivity enhancement and latent heat reduction, complemented by subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and bias diagnostics. The meta-analysis reveals a pooled thermal conductivity enhancement of ∼55%, accompanied by substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 85%). NePCM achieves the highest gains (≈99%) but exhibits greater variability, while nanofluids provide modest enhancement (≈32%) with superior stability. Concentration–response modeling reveals saturation beyond 3–5 wt%, where additional loading yields diminishing benefits and accelerates degradation. Trade-off ratios (mean 6.05) indicate that performance gains generally outweigh storage penalties, although extreme-effect studies often coincide with weaker durability and broader confidence intervals. These findings demonstrate that optimal performance lies in low-to-moderate concentration regimes that balance enhancement, cyclic retention, and reproducibility. Overall, the synthesis highlights the importance of standardized testing, long-duration stability assessment, and application-oriented formulation strategies to support reliable and scalable solar thermal deployment. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Research Group of Applied Power and Renewable Energy Conversion System, Faculty of Vocational Studies, State University of Malang, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Power Plant Engineering Technology, Faculty of Vocational Studies, State University of Malang, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
