A comprehensive review of harnessing the potential of phase change materials (PCMs) in energy-efficient building envelopes

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM)-embedded building envelopes have emerged as a cutting-edge thermal regulation strategy with substantial assurance of sustainable and energy-efficient thermal comfort for occupants. This work takes an opportunity to explore the potential of PCM integration in various building envelope components to improve their thermo-economic performance in terms of indoor temperature stabilization, and thermal load reductions resulting in improved energy efficiency and corresponding cost-savings. This systematically organized review article delves into detailed PCM classification, desirable characteristics, and selection criteria, followed by brief discussions on diverse characterization schemes. Further, it summarizes the outcomes of various case studies regarding the performance of PCM-incorporated building components including windows, walls, roofs, floors, plasterboards, and other concrete structural components across different climatic conditions. Based on the review findings, the solid-liquid transition organic PCMs are identified as widely used alternatives, relative to inorganic and solid-solid transition PCM alternatives. PCM encapsulations are recommended as the best-suited scheme to facilitate PCM incorporations in building structures. Additionally, several challenges associated with PCM integration to practical building applications have been discussed along with corresponding mitigation strategies. Finally, the work gets concluded along with some major insights on various emerging trends and future recommendations, particularly in the context of more energy-efficient and sustainable building designs. Hence; the present work can serve as a valuable resource package for researchers and industrial experts working together in field of sustainable building designs by inclusion of advanced thermal energy storage solutions. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd