Architectural Technologies Studies

Optimizing the Thermal Performance of Buildings Using a New Generation of Phase Change Materials

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Elham Pishvar 1
Mohammadreza Maghareh 2

1 Master's student, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22034/ats.2026.2094629.1060
Abstract
Aims: The building sector is one of the largest consumers of global energy and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Growing concerns regarding climate change, depletion of fossil fuel resources, and increasing energy demand have intensified the need for innovative technologies capable of improving building energy efficiency while maintaining indoor thermal comfort. Among passive thermal energy storage technologies, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have attracted considerable attention because of their ability to absorb, store, and release large amounts of latent heat within a narrow temperature range. When incorporated into building envelope components, PCMs can moderate indoor temperature fluctuations, reduce heating and cooling loads, and improve overall thermal performance. However, the practical application of conventional PCM systems has been constrained by several limitations, including low thermal conductivity, leakage during phase transition, inadequate long-term thermal stability, and incompatibility with conventional construction materials. These shortcomings have stimulated the development of advanced PCM generations with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and environmental performance. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the technological evolution of PCM systems, evaluate the characteristics of new-generation PCMs, compare their performance with earlier generations, and assess their contribution to improving the thermal performance of buildings through integration into building panels.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted using a review-analytical approach. Relevant scientific publications concerning Phase Change Materials and their applications in building thermal performance were systematically collected from reputable international and national scientific databases. The selected literature comprised review papers, experimental investigations, numerical simulations, and field studies focusing on PCM integration into building envelopes and panel systems. The studies were classified according to the technological evolution of PCM systems, including conventional macro-encapsulated PCMs, micro-encapsulated PCMs, shape-stabilized PCMs, nano-enhanced composite PCMs, and bio-based or smart PCM systems. Comparative analyses were carried out using criteria including thermal conductivity, latent heat storage capacity, phase stability, leakage resistance, compatibility with building materials, cycling durability, and applicability in building panels. Representative case studies were further examined to evaluate the practical performance of different PCM generations under real and simulated building conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of their technological progression and their contribution to building energy efficiency.
Findings: The reviewed literature demonstrates that the technological evolution of PCMs has substantially improved their applicability in the building sector. Early-generation PCMs introduced latent heat storage into buildings but were restricted by leakage, low thermal conductivity, limited cycling durability, and difficulties in integration with construction materials. The development of microencapsulation and shape-stabilization technologies significantly improved material stability and leakage resistance, enabling safer incorporation into building panels. Subsequently, nano-enhanced PCMs containing graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanoparticles considerably increased thermal conductivity and accelerated heat transfer during charging and discharging processes, resulting in faster thermal response and more efficient utilization of latent heat. Bio-based PCMs further represent an important step toward environmentally sustainable thermal storage solutions while maintaining satisfactory thermal performance. Overall, integrating advanced PCMs into building panels enhances the thermal inertia of building envelopes, reduces peak heating and cooling loads, improves indoor thermal comfort, and contributes to considerable energy savings. Nevertheless, production cost, large-scale commercialization, long-term durability under real climatic conditions, and the absence of standardized evaluation procedures remain major barriers to widespread implementation.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the evolution of PCM technologies has transformed them from conventional latent heat storage materials into multifunctional systems capable of actively improving building thermal performance. Compared with earlier generations, nano-enhanced, shape-stabilized, microencapsulated, and bio-based PCMs provide higher thermal conductivity, improved cycling stability, better leakage control, and greater compatibility with modern construction materials. These improvements significantly strengthen the potential of PCM-integrated building panels to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor thermal comfort, and support the development of sustainable and low-energy buildings. However, broader implementation requires overcoming technical and economic challenges, particularly cost reduction, long-term field validation, standardized performance assessment methods, and comprehensive life-cycle evaluation. Future research should therefore focus on adaptive intelligent PCM systems, integration with renewable energy technologies and smart building management systems, optimization for different climatic conditions, and large-scale practical applications to facilitate the widespread adoption of advanced PCM technologies in energy-efficient buildings.

Keywords

: Phase Change Materials (PCM)
Building Thermal Performance
Building Panels
Thermal Energy Storage (TES)
Energy Efficiency
Subjects
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Architectural Technologies Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 August 2026

  • Receive Date 15 July 2026
  • Accept Date 24 August 2026
  • First Publish Date 31 August 2026
  • Publish Date 31 August 2026

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