Application research and effectiveness analysis of phase change materials in building envelope: A review

The construction industry is responsible for a significant amount of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions. To address this issue, phase change material (PCM) is commonly used as an effective heat storage material in building construction. It improves the thermal comfort of building occupants and reduces energy consumption. This paper provides an in-depth review of recent research on integrating PCM with building envelopes. The research primarily focuses on integrating PCM into walls, ceilings, roofs, floors, and windows, categorized by envelope structure components such as plaster, cement mortar, concrete, and brick. The specific approaches for each category are summarized and analyzed. The modification and optimization of PCMs, along with the impact of applying composite building PCM solutions in buildings, are consistently identified as two key areas of investigation. The paper also delves into the influence of PCMs on building thermal performance, humid environments, energy saving, CO2 emissions, and cost. Additionally, it highlights key considerations for applying PCMs in architecture and suggests potential future research directions to guide subsequent work.