Thermal performance of cement mortar embedded with microencapsulated phase change materials in Indian subcontinental climatic conditions

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 147; no. 24; pp. 14057 - 14069
• Main Authors: Kalaiselvam, S., Ameelia Roseline, A., Dinesh, R., Imran Hussain, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Architecture and energy conservation; Cement; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Compressive strength; Electric properties; Energy conservation; Heat transfer; Inorganic Chemistry; Irradiance; Leakage; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Microencapsulation; Mortars (material); Particle size; Peak load; Phase change materials; Phase transitions; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Polymerization; Protection and preservation; Thermal conductivity; Thermal energy; Thermal insulation; Thermal response; Microencapsulated phase change material; Heat transfer; Composite climatic zones; Thermal response
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-022-11594-z

This article investigates the thermal insulation performance of cement mortar plastering embedded with microencapsulated phase change material for postponing peak load and achieving building energy conservation. However, the direct incorporation of PCM in the pores of cement mortar suffers from leakage during the phase transition period. This article utilizes the in situ polymerization microencapsulation techniques to encapsulate the developed eutectic phase change material without causing leakage in building fabrics. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis demonstrates that the prepared MEPCM was successfully formed in a uniform spherical structure with an average particle diameter of around 1 µm. The 5 mass% MEPCM incorporated cement mortar has a relatively low thermal conductivity of 0.18 W m −1  K −1 , and high compressive strength of 23.23 MPa without compromising building strength. Furthermore, the thermal response of MEPCM embedded cement mortar used as exterior wall plastering was tested in a psychrometric chamber, with a maximum temperature swing of 6.3 °C achieved for the Delhi climatic condition compared to the other two climatic conditions found in Jodhpur and Ahmedabad. The maximum heat transfer reduction of 16.69% was achieved for the Delhi climatic condition, while the reductions in Jodhpur and Ahmedabad were 6.5% and 5.9%, respectively, when compared to a normal brick wall during peak solar irradiance periods. As a result, the prepared MEPCM with a phase change temperature of 25 °C would be a good candidate for reducing the wall gain heat load of buildings in composite climatic zones in the Indian subcontinent. Graphical abstract