Development and characterization of cement paste-coated shape-stabilized phase change materials to achieve net zero energy buildings in desert climates

Khaled Own Mohaisen; Md. Hasan Zahir; Kashif Irshad; Aasif Helal; M. Nasiruzzaman Shaikh

doi:10.59400/be2175

Development and characterization of cement paste-coated shape-stabilized phase change materials to achieve net zero energy buildings in desert climates

Khaled Own Mohaisen
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Md. Hasan Zahir
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Kashif Irshad
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Aasif Helal
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC-HTCM), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
M. Nasiruzzaman Shaikh
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC-HTCM), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Article ID: 2175

Keywords: shape-stabilized PCMs, lightweight aggregates, polyethylene glycol, thermal energy storage concrete, net zero energy buildings

Abstract

The development of shape-stabilized phase change materials (SS-PCMs) and their use in construction materials has demonstrated significant potential for improving building energy efficiency and reducing the power consumption of buildings, particularly in desert climates. Despite these benefits, the widespread application of PCMs in civil infrastructure is hindered by their high cost, preparation complexity, leakage issues, and low thermal conductivity. This study addresses these challenges by employing a low-cost, lightweight aggregate (LWA) as a carrier combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to develop an LWA/PEG composite PCM. The PEG was incorporated into the LWA pores using a vacuum impregnation technique. Analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that the LWA/PEG composite was successfully prepared without any chemical reactions occurring during the process. However, LWA/PEG composite suffers from leakage problems, which limit its use in building applications. Accordingly, a cement paste coating was developed and applied on LWA/PEG to prepare SS-PCM (CLWA) to prevent the leakage of the composite and enhance its thermal conductivity. Moreover, it was noted that the developed CLWA is chemically stable, and it exhibited outstanding thermal stability after 200 cycles of melting and solidification without signs of leakage. These advantageous characteristics indicate that the CLWA developed can be effectively employed to enhance the thermal efficiency of construction materials to achieve net-zero energy in buildings.

Published

2025-10-02

How to Cite

Mohaisen, K. O., Zahir, M. H., Irshad, K., Helal, A., & Shaikh, M. N. (2025). Development and characterization of cement paste-coated shape-stabilized phase change materials to achieve net zero energy buildings in desert climates. Building Engineering, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.59400/be2175

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Vol. 3 No. 4 (2025)

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Article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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