Performance Assessment of Phase Change Material from Vermiculite Impregnated with Capric Acid Ethyl Alcohol for Thermal Insulation in Buildings

Abstract

The rapid changes in climatic conditions have significantly impacted the energy consumption globally. The construction industry is reported as a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, which demands the need for innovative materials to enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy usage in buildings. Researchers are focusing on various materials and technologies that not only conserve energy but also enhance sustainability. Among the various energy saving strategies, the one which improves thermal insulation in buildings has been identified as a promising approach. Phase Change Materials (PCMs), due to their ability to store and release large amount of latent heat during phase transitions, are recognized as a promising solution for improving energy efficiency in buildings. PCMs can absorb excess heat during the day and release it at night, thus reduces the need for artificial heating and cooling systems. Current research investigates the development and incorporation of composite phase change materials (PCM) into cement mortar and foam concrete to improve the thermal insulation properties. In the first part, a novel PCM was developed by the impregnation of capric acid (CA)/ ethyl alcohol (EA) into expanded vermiculite (EV) under vacuum conditions. The stability and thermal properties of the developed PCM are assessed to find the optimum combination of capric acid (CA)/ ethyl alcohol (EA) and expanded vermiculite (EV). This PCM was integrated into cement mortar mixes as a replacement to fine aggregate, to evaluate their mechanical, durability, thermal and microstructural characteristics. Various mixes were tested to determine the optimal composition for strength and thermal properties. The inclusion of PCM significantly enhanced the thermal properties of the mortar with slight reduction in its mechanical strength. This reduction was addressed by the addition of nano silica and coir fibre which resulted in an improved mechanical behaviour. The developed PCM composite...