Effect of mPCMs on the properties of whisker-reinforced PG-based composites

Phase-change energy-storage building materials prepared by applying phase-change materials (PCMs) to building materials have the advantages of both common building materials and PCMs. The composites can help regulate the indoor temperature, while the introduction of phase-change microcapsule (mPCM) technology can make up for the shortcomings of traditional PCMs. Therefore, in this study, two different mPCMs were blended into whisker-reinforced β-hemihydrate phosphogypsum (β-HPG)-based composites to prepare a new lightweight thermal insulation and energy-storage building material, which improves the thermal performance of the building material while improving the utilization rate of phosphogypsum to a certain extent. In this study, the mechanical, thermal conductivity and energy-storage properties of the new building material were investigated through performance tests and compared with those of β-HPG-based composites without doped PCMs, The results showed that both PCMs could improve the mechanical strength of the materials. The incorporation of mPCMs increased the thermal conductivity and decreased the water absorption of the composites. In addition, the thermogravimetric–differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the addition of mPCMs improved the thermal storage properties of the composites, and the two mPCMs and their composites have good thermal stability and can be used in construction materials.