Thermophysical and Chemical Characteristics of a Biosourced Composite Material Developed to Enhance the Thermal Inertia of Building Walls in Arid Climates

Abstract

Using efficient building materials with high thermal inertia maintains indoor thermal comfort while reducing energy demand and energy savings. In this study, we developed and characterized the thermophysical and chemical properties of a novel Biosourced Composite Phase Change Material prepared using the shape-stabilized method for energy storage and improving the energy efficiency of buildings in arid climates. The physico-chemical compatibility between RT28 HC and the selected matrix was verified by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction techniques and observed with Scanning Electron Microscope. The Differential Scanning Calorimeter results indicated that the composite material including 50 wt. % RT28 HC has a melting temperature and latent heat property of 31.5 °C and 128.3 J⋅g⁻¹, respectively. Thermogravimetric measurements confirmed the thermal reliability of the biosourced composite material for building applications. The thermal conductivity of RT28 HC incorporated into the biosourced composite material, including 10 wt. % of graphite, was improved by 305 %. Thermal performance tests the potential of the composite material to improve the thermal performance of walls subjected to the thermal conditions of the arid zone climates were implemented using a trombe wall. Thermal performance results revealed that integrating composite material plates reduced the internal and external faces of the trombe wall temperatures by 7 °C and 14 °C, respectively. Integrating the biosourced composite material into the wall increases its thermal inertia and stabilizes the interior temperature within the comfort temperature range. Thermal performance tests confirm the biosourced composite material’s efficacy in improving thermal comfort, as well as its potential application for thermal energy storage in buildings.