Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials and Their Applications for Passive Cooling in Buildings

The building sector accounts for nearly one-third of global energy demand and approximately 40% of total direct and indirect carbon emissions. Hence, researchers are engaged in efforts to reduce building energy use by improving the thermal performance of building envelopes. Microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs) with their high latent heat storage capacity have provided opportunities to develop novel building envelopes with excellent energy-saving performance. In addition, the integration of MPCMs into building envelopes is a cost-effective method to improve indoor thermal environment. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments of MPCMs which have a great potential in reducing the indoor temperature and energy demand of buildings. The focus of this chapter is on the most-used PCMs, shell materials, and the synthesis techniques. The benefits and limitations of these cutting-edge passive cooling materials are critically discussed, and some future research directions are also provided.