PCM COMPOSITES WITH ENHANCED THERMAL PROPERTIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING OF BUILDINGS UNDER SINGAPORE'S CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

In Singapore’s hot tropical climate, phase change materials (PCMs) hold significant promise for year-round passive cooling solutions in buildings. However, Singapore’s narrow diurnal temperature range (DTR) of 24-32 °C is unfavorable for achieving complete melting-freezing cycles in pure PCMs, thus limiting their thermal and energy performance. To overcome this challenge, this research used five advanced micro/nanomaterials, including polystyrene (PS), graphite platelets (GP), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), open-cell copper foams (CFs), and biochar microparticles, to enhance three base PCMs. Both micro- and macro-encapsulation techniques were employed. Moreover, new fabrication techniques with optimized formulations were developed. In addition to the commonly used material characterization tools, various prototype tests were performed to evaluate the passive cooling performance of the bulk PCM samples. This research will support the development of an evidence base and bring PCM composites one step closer to larger-scale adoption for cooling buildings in Singapore and regions with similar tropical climates.