Abstract
Photo-responsive microencapsulated phase-change materials (MEPCMs) are attracting growing interest for their significant potential in solar energy applications and advanced intelligent thermal management systems, owing to their exceptional capacity for thermal energy storage, efficiency for photothermal conversion, and capability for multifunctional integration. This review provides a systematic summary of the advancements in photo-responsive MEPCMs containing photothermal, photocatalytic, and luminescent materials in the past five years, highlighting their potential in energy conversion, pollutant degradation, and intelligent sensing applications. Moreover, perspectives for future research are provided to enhance the practical application of photo-responsive MEPCMs.