（1.School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China）（2.Key Laboratory of Special Environment Road Engineering of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China)
Phase change materials (PCMs) can absorb or release latent heats. Thus, PCMs exhibit the great potential in terms of adjusting temperature and storing energy. The SiO2 matrix prepared by sol-gel process can provide PCMs with excellent framework structure and improves the leakage of PCMs. The sol-gel preparation process and the morphologies of SiO2 matrix composite PCMs are briefly introduced based on the summary of the domestic and international references. Furthermore, the chemical compatibility between SiO2 matrix and PCMs, the effect of SiO2 matrix on the crystallization properties of PCMs, and the thermal properties, thermal cycling stability and storage/release properties of SiO2 matrix composite PCMs are described. Finally, two types of reinforced SiO2 matrix composite PCMs, which include functional materials such as carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, metal particles, and metal oxide particles to enhance the thermal conductivity and photothermal conversion, are summarized.