Performance evaluation of cement-based composites containing phase change materials from energy management and construction standpoints

Thermal energy storage in building envelopes is critical to promoting renewable energy, implementation of which requires thermal performance enhancement of construction materials. In this regard, phase change materials (PCMs) are often incorporated with cement-based composites (CBCs) materials, which are most commonly used in construction. The current article provides a state-of-the-art review of PCM-incorporated CBCs (PCM-CBCs) considering various CBCs, incorporation methods, and their challenges and solutions. Additionally, performance evaluation of PCM-CBCs is carried out based on thermal, mechanical, durability, sustainability, energy efficiency, and resource conservation-based performances. It was identified that in terms of thermal performance, energy efficiency, and natural resource conservation, the research on PCM-CBCs has been well established, and they find vast application in TES management systems. On the other hand, although healthy research data is available on the appraisal of the mechanical performance of PCM-CBCs, more efforts are required to control the detrimental impact of PCM incorporation with CBCs to make them more durable and desirable for construction where they must undergo mechanical loading. This article provides a consolidated perspective for researchers, practitioners, and educators working to make PCM-CBCs more practical.