Phase change materials in buildings: A comprehensive review of applications, climate strategies, and 3E performance

作者：Adnan I. Khdair, Rasool Kalbasi, Rebwar Nasir Dara, Masoud Afrand · 发表于：Journal of Energy Storage · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.est.2025.117675 · 被引用次数：18 · 研究领域：Phase Change Materials Research、Building Energy and Comfort Optimization、Adsorption and Cooling Systems

The building sector accounts for over 30 % of global energy consumption, with space heating and cooling responsible for a substantial portion of this demand. To address this challenge, Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising passive thermal energy storage solution due to their ability to absorb and release latent heat near ambient temperatures. This review critically examines over 200 recent studies on PCM integration in building elements—walls, floors, ceilings, and windows—and evaluates their impact on energy savings, thermal comfort, and sustainability. Case studies show that PCM-enhanced envelopes can reduce peak indoor temperatures by up to 5.8 °C and cut HVAC energy consumption by 15–42 % depending on climate and PCM configuration. The paper also classifies PCMs by type, explores enhancement techniques such as nanoparticle doping and encapsulation, and identifies optimal deployment strategies for different climates. While PCMs offer significant environmental and economic advantages, challenges such as low thermal conductivity and phase segregation remain. Future research opportunities lie in material innovation, climate-specific PCM mapping, and integration with renewable systems. This comprehensive review provides actionable insights to guide the development of energy-efficient and climate-adaptive building designs.