Abstract
The use of phase-change materials (PCM) in concrete has revealed promising results in terms of clean energy storage. However, the negative impact of the interaction between PCM and concrete on the mechanical and durability properties limits field applications, leading to a shift of the research to incorporate PCM into concrete using different techniques to overcome these issues. The storage of clean energy via PCM significantly supports the UN SDG 7 target of affordable and clean energy. Therefore, the present study focuses on three aspects: PCM type, the effect of PCM on concrete properties, and connecting the outcome of PCM concrete composite to the United Nations sustainable development goals (UN SDGs). The compensation of reduction in strength of PCM-contained concrete is possible up to some extent with the use of nanomaterials and supplementary cementitious materials. As PCM-incorporated concrete is categorized a type of building material, the large-scale use of this material will affect the different stages associated with building lifetimes. Therefore, in the present study, the possible amendments of the different associated stages of building lifetimes after the use of PCM-incorporated concrete are discussed and mapped in consideration of the UN SDGs 7, 11, and 12. The current challenges in the widespread use of PCM are lower thermal conductivity, the trade-off between concrete strength and PCM, and absence of the link between the outcome of PCM-concrete composite and UN SDGs. The global prospects of PCM-incorporated concrete as part of the effort to attain the UN SDGs as studied here will motivate architects, designers, practicing engineers, and researchers to accelerate their efforts to promote the consideration of PCM-containing concrete ultimately to attain net zero carbon emissions from building infrastructure for a sustainable future.
Highlights
Relying only on cooling systems powered by conventional energy has resulted in an increase in the demand for fossil fuel-based energy in the future, hindering the global establishment of thermal energy storage based on renewable energy
High thermal conductivity assists in the timely charging and discharging of energy storage upon demand. These findings present a benefit of using phase-change materials (PCM) in the building for promoting renewable energy consumption
Jafarabad et al [28] reported that the compressive strength was improved by 25% by using the silica fume in a cement matrix and polyethylene glycol as a PCM compared to a specimen without silica fume
Summary
Thermal comfort (the energy demand for cooling, heating and air conditioning) in a building envelope is significantly based on the utilization of fossil fuels, and this existing practice violates the UN SDGs [12]. Relying only on cooling systems powered by conventional energy has resulted in an increase in the demand for fossil fuel-based energy in the future, hindering the global establishment of thermal energy storage based on renewable energy. The use of PCM in the building can be a tradeoff between the future energy demand and the goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption to promote infrastructure related to the UN SDGs. The successful application of PCM in building to attain thermal comfort has been reported [21,22,23,24].
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