Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) for Thermal Energy Storage in Buildings

Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) for Thermal Energy Storage in Buildings

Ayah EISA, Aman YADAV, Zafar SAID, A.K. PANDEY, Naser ALI, Ammar M. BAHMAN

Abstract. With the increasing demand for energy due to the rise in temperature, passive cooling strategies are implemented to help achieve thermal comfort with an optimal energy reduction. One of the effective approaches can be the implementation of Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) into a building envelope and active HVAC systems to help in temperature control by thermal energy storage. With pure PCM, low conductivity has been a major drawback that caused it to have a slow discharge rate. The inclusion of nanomaterials has dramatically improved its thermal conductivity which led to a shorter discharge time and better performance. Carbon-based nano-additives has shown the greatest enhancement in thermal conductivity while being one of the most expensive option. This review article delves into the characteristics that makes the integration of NePCM into buildings a promising thermal energy storage strategy that can lead to energy savings and reduce temperature fluctuations, especially for arid and hot weather climates without the use of an energy source.

Keywords
Phase Change Material, Thermal Conductivity, Fluctuations

Published online 5/10/2026, 11 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Ayah EISA, Aman YADAV, Zafar SAID, A.K. PANDEY, Naser ALI, Ammar M. BAHMAN, Nano-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) for Thermal Energy Storage in Buildings, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 66, pp 41-51, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904152-6

The article was published as article 6 of the book Advanced Materials and Sustainable Energy Technologies

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

References
[1] S. Christopher et al., “Renewable energy potential towards attainment of net-zero energy buildings status – A critical review,” J Clean Prod, vol. 405, p. 136942, Jun. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2023.136942
[2] R. A. Lawag and H. M. Ali, “Phase change materials for thermal management and energy storage: A review,” J Energy Storage, vol. 55, Nov. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.105602
[3] X. Q. Zhou et al., “Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Modification, and Applications in Food and Agriculture,” Apr. 01, 2023, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11041193
[4] K. Jiao, L. Lu, L. Zhao, and G. Wang, “Towards Passive Building Thermal Regulation: A State-of-the-Art Review on Recent Progress of PCM-Integrated Building Envelopes,” Sustainability 2024, Vol. 16, Page 6482, vol. 16, no. 15, p. 6482, Jul. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16156482
[5] D. G. Atinafu, B. Y. Yun, E. E. Kwon, S. J. Chang, and S. Kim, “Unveiling the effect of molecular chain length on the thermal energy storage capacity and transition temperature of alkane-based phase change composites,” Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 462, p. 142303, Apr. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CEJ.2023.142303
[6] S. A. Mohamed et al., “A review on current status and challenges of inorganic phase change materials for thermal energy storage systems,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 70, pp. 1072–1089, Apr. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSER.2016.12.012
[7] R. Singh, S. Sadeghi, and B. Shabani, “Thermal conductivity enhancement of phase change materials for low-temperature thermal energy storage applications,” Energies (Basel), vol. 12, no. 1, Jan. 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12010075
[8] R. Baetens, B. P. Jelle, and A. Gustavsen, “Phase change materials for building applications: A state-of-the-art review,” Energy Build, vol. 42, no. 9, pp. 1361–1368, Sep. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENBUILD.2010.03.026
[9] A. Islam, A. K. Pandey, K. Sharma, Y. A. Bhutto, R. Saidur, and D. Buddhi, “Enhancing thermo-physical properties of hybrid nanoparticle-infused medium temperature organic phase change materials using graphene nanoplatelets and multiwall carbon nanotubes,” Discov Mater, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–19, Dec. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/S43939-024-00130-5/FIGURES/9
[10] Z. Said et al., “Nano-enhanced phase change materials: Fundamentals and applications,” Prog Energy Combust Sci, vol. 104, p. 101162, 2024. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2024.101162
[11] L. Jiang et al., “Experimental and numerical study on thermal performance of phase-change-material cool roofs in summer,” Sustain Cities Soc, vol. 99, Dec. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104936
[12] R. Achaku, L. Li, and Y. Chen, “An experimental investigation of phase change material (PCM)-enhanced cavity walls with integrated windows in office buildings: Optimising energy savings,” Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 80, p. 104381, Aug. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SETA.2025.104381
[13] X. Yang et al., “Comprehensive performance evaluation of double-glazed windows containing hybrid nanoparticle-enhanced phase change material,” Appl Therm Eng, vol. 223, p. 119976, Mar. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2023.119976
[14] K. Biswas, P. Soroushian, and S. S. Shrestha, “Combined experimental and numerical evaluation of a prototype nano-PCM enhanced wallboard,” 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.02.047
[15] B. Adera, V. R. Ancha, T. Tadiwose, and E. Getahun, “Nano enhanced phase change materials for thermal energy storage system applications: A comprehensive review of recent advancements and future challenges,” International Journal of Thermofluids, vol. 30, p. 101418, Nov. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJFT.2025.101418
[16] P. K. S. Rathore, N. K. Gupta, D. Yadav, S. K. Shukla, and S. Kaul, “Thermal performance of the building envelope integrated with phase change material for thermal energy storage: an updated review.,” Sustain Cities Soc, vol. 79, p. 103690, Apr. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2022.103690
[17] S. K. Jha, A. Sankar, Y. Zhou, and A. Ghosh, “Incorporation of Phase Change Materials in Buildings,” Construction Materials, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 676–703, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater4040037
[18] F. Lygerakis, C. Gioti, D. Gournis, I. V. Yentekakis, M. Karakassides, and D. Kolokotsa, “Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency with Innovative Paraffin-Based Phase Change Materials,” Energies 2024, Vol. 17, Page 4155, vol. 17, no. 16, p. 4155, Aug. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/EN17164155
[19] Y. Lin, G. Alva, and G. Fang, “Review on thermal performances and applications of thermal energy storage systems with inorganic phase change materials,” Dec. 15, 2018, Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.128
[20] A. Stonehouse and C. Abeykoon, “Thermal properties of phase change materials reinforced with multi-dimensional carbon nanomaterials,” Int J Heat Mass Transf, vol. 183, p. 122166, Feb. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHEATMASSTRANSFER.2021.122166
[21] K. Jiao, L. Lu, L. Zhao, and G. Wang, “Towards Passive Building Thermal Regulation: A State-of-the-Art Review on Recent Progress of PCM-Integrated Building Envelopes,” Sustainability 2024, Vol. 16, Page 6482, vol. 16, no. 15, p. 6482, Jul. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16156482
[22] Z. Najam, M. El Alami, and M. Najam, “Experimental Study of Heat Transfer in a Real Scale Building Incorporating PCM in the Air Layer of the Vertical Walls,” Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, vol. 07, no. 05, pp. 14–25, May 2019. https://doi.org/10.4236/JPEE.2019.75003
[23] P. J. Abass and S. Muthulingam, “Energy-efficient concrete roofs for buildings: Integrating macroencapsulated nano-enhanced PCMs for hot climate adaptation,” Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, vol. 66, p. 105744, Feb. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2025.105744
[24] A. Ismail, J. Zhou, A. Aday, I. Davidoff, A. Odukomaiya, and J. Wang, “Microencapsulation of bio-based phase change materials with silica coated inorganic shell for thermal energy storage,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 67, p. 105981, May 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2023.105981
[25] J. Pereira, A. Moita, and A. Moreira, “An Overview of the Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Materials for Energy Harvesting and Conversion,” Molecules 2023, Vol. 28, Page 5763, vol. 28, no. 15, p. 5763, Jul. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES28155763
[26] T. Liu et al., “Thermoregulation, rheological properties and modification mechanism of asphalt modified with PUSSPCMs,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 372, p. 130763, Apr. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2023.130763
[27] H. Gao et al., “Nanoconfinement effects on thermal properties of nanoporous shape-stabilized composite PCMs: A review,” Nano Energy, vol. 53, pp. 769–797, Nov. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NANOEN.2018.09.007
[28] C. Cárdenas-Ramírez, M. A. Gómez, F. Jaramillo, A. G. Fernández, and L. F. Cabeza, “Thermal reliability of organic-organic phase change materials and their shape-stabilized composites,” J Energy Storage, vol. 40, p. 102661, Aug. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EST.2021.102661
[29] G. Yang, Y. J. Yim, J. W. Lee, Y. J. Heo, and S. J. Park, “Carbon-Filled Organic Phase-Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage: A Review,” Molecules 2019, Vol. 24, Page 2055, vol. 24, no. 11, p. 2055, May 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/MOLECULES24112055
[30] D. Christopher Selvam et al., “Advances in nano-enhanced phase change materials and hybrid thermal energy storage systems: Paving the way for sustainable energy solutions,” Results in Engineering, vol. 27, p. 105729, Sep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RINENG.2025.105729
[31] R. Calotă et al., “A Novel Concept of Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material,” Materials, vol. 17, no. 17, Sep. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174268
[32] R. Bharathiraja, T. Ramkumar, M. Selvakumar, and N. Radhika, “Thermal characteristics enhancement of Paraffin Wax Phase Change Material (PCM) for thermal storage applications,” Renew Energy, vol. 222, Feb. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.119986
[33] A. Islam, A. K. Pandey, K. Sharma, Y. A. Bhutto, R. Saidur, and D. Buddhi, “Enhancing thermo-physical properties of hybrid nanoparticle-infused medium temperature organic phase change materials using graphene nanoplatelets and multiwall carbon nanotubes,” Discov Mater, vol. 4, no. 1, Dec. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-024-00130-5
[34] D. K. Döğüşcü, O. Güler, G. Hekimoğlu, A. Sarı, and O. Gencel, “High-performance CNT-integrated PolyHIPE networks enabling efficient PCM encapsulation via emulsion templating for advanced thermal energy storage,” J Energy Storage, vol. 130, p. 117465, Sep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EST.2025.117465
[35] S. Harish, D. Orejon, Y. Takata, and M. Kohno, “Thermal conductivity enhancement of lauric acid phase change nanocomposite with graphene nanoplatelets,” Appl Therm Eng, vol. 80, pp. 205–211, Apr. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2015.01.056
[36] B. Praveen, S. Suresh, and V. Pethurajan, “Heat transfer performance of graphene nano-platelets laden micro-encapsulated PCM with polymer shell for thermal energy storage based heat sink,” Appl Therm Eng, vol. 156, pp. 237–249, Jun. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2019.04.072
[37] L. Ravasio, M. A. Hayat, R. K. Calay, R. Riise, and Y. Chen, “An experimental study on thermophysical properties of nano- TiO 2 -enhanced phase change materials for cold climate applications,” J Therm Anal Calorim, vol. 149, no. 6, pp. 2549–2560, Mar. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10973-023-12859-X/TABLES/11
[38] Y. Huang, A. Stonehouse, and C. Abeykoon, “Encapsulation methods for phase change materials – A critical review,” Int J Heat Mass Transf, vol. 200, p. 123458, Jan. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHEATMASSTRANSFER.2022.123458
[39] S. Akhavan Mohseni, M. Akhavan Mohseni, A. Babapoor, and Z. Rahimi-Ahar, “Application of nano-phase change materials in thermal energy storage: An engineering approach to optimizing efficiency, sustainability, and industrial economics – A review,” J Energy Storage, vol. 134, p. 118116, Oct. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EST.2025.118116
[40] A. El Majd et al., “Advanced gypsum/PCM composites incorporating biopolymer-encapsulated phase change materials for enhanced thermal management in buildings,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 451, p. 138872, Nov. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2024.138872
[41] J. Aboueian, A. Shahsavar, and H. R. Askarifard Jahromi, “Parametric assessment of a building-integrated PV/T system with a Nanofluid/NEPCM spectral splitter,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 103, p. 112042, Jun. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2025.112042
[42] Z. Wu, Y. Xu, and B. Šavija, “Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Cementitious Cellular Composites Incorporating Micro-Encapsulated Phase Change Material,” Materials 2021, Vol. 14, Page 7586, vol. 14, no. 24, p. 7586, Dec. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA14247586
[43] N. Lajimi, N. Ben Taher, and N. Boukadida, “Numerical simulation of heat and mass transfer of a wall containing micro-encapsulated phase change concrete (PCC),” Front Environ Sci, vol. 10, Jan. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.973725
[44] J. Guan and M. Chen, “Nanoencapsulation of binary fatty acids for high-stability phase change materials: Synergistic synthesis and thermophysical characterization,” Energy, vol. 335, p. 138125, Oct. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENERGY.2025.138125
[45] W. Wei, F. Bai, and H. Fan, “Surfactant-Assisted Cooperative Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles into Active Nanostructures,” iScience, vol. 11, pp. 272–293, Jan. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ISCI.2018.12.025
[46] C. J. Ho and J. Y. Gao, “Preparation and thermophysical properties of nanoparticle-in-paraffin emulsion as phase change material,” International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 467–470, May 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ICHEATMASSTRANSFER.2009.01.015
[47] J. Paul, K. Kadirgama, M. Samykano, R. Saidur, A. K. Pandey, and R. V. Mohan, “An Updated Review on Low-Temperature Nanocomposites with a Special Focus on Thermal Management in Buildings,” Energy Engineering, vol. 119, no. 4, pp. 1299–1325, May 2022. https://doi.org/10.32604/EE.2022.019172