Development and characterization of advanced paraffin plaster composite for building energy storage

Thermal energy storage via phase change materials (PCM) is currently a promising solution for minimizing energy consumption and ensuring thermal comfort in buildings. PCM composites enhance energy efficiency by shifting peak energy loads while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. This work aims to develop a novel highly stable form of PCM-based composite and assess its performance in plaster. The composite prepared consists of paraffin (RT27) loaded into expanded perlite (EP). The obtained composite was coated with waterproof SikaLatex adherent (SL). Paraffin loading rate reached 70 % by vacuum impregnation. Composite thermal conductivity was enhanced by aluminum (AL). Compared to other PCM plaster boards, the paraffin coated composite amount reached a greater value of 50 wt% in plaster without friability. Thermal conductivity of plaster containing 50 wt% of RT27/EP/SL/Al composite was 0.56 +/- 0.02 W/m.K. Temperature and phase change enthalpy measurements were carried out by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results revealed that prepared composites stored 107.46 +/- 1.89 kJ/kg and 93.77 +/- 1.65 kJ/kg respectively without and with Aluminum. These composites were thermally stable even after undergoing multiple heating and cooling cycles. Good chemical compatibility between composite components was shown by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The resulting plaster composite is a stable, leak-proof, low-cost material with high thermal energy storage (TES) efficiency in buildings.