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Heat transfer performance study of gypsum boards integrated with carbon nanotubes-hydrated salts phase change materials: An experimental and numerical study

Author

Listed:
  • Cai, Lei
  • Tian, Xinxu
  • Niu, Cheng
  • Zhang, Yuan
  • Shi, Xiaobin
  • Zhang, Yi
  • Li, Dongxu

Abstract

Integrating phase change materials (PCMs) into building structures offers a promising approach to improving energy efficiency. In this study, a binary hydrated salt system consisting of disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate (Na2HPO4·12H2O, DHPD) and sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4·10H2O, SSD) was adopted as the base PCMs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated to synthesize CNTs/DHPD-SSD composites, and their influence on the thermal properties and crystallization behavior of DHPD-SSD were systematically examined. Phase change gypsum boards (PCGBs) were fabricated using DHPD-SSD and CNTs/DHPD-SSD composites as the PCM layers, and their dynamic heat transfer characteristics were analyzed via COMSOL-based finite element simulations. Experimental results showed that with the addition of 2 wt% CNTs, the supercooling degree of DHPD-SSD decreased from 6.9 °C to 0.5 °C while maintaining a high latent heat of 193.9 J/g. Additionally, thermal conductivity increased by 67.8% in the solid state and 84.3% in the liquid state. Numerical simulations revealed that buoyancy-driven natural convection within the molten PCMs led to a stratified temperature distribution in the PCGBs. A 20 mm-thick CNTs/DHPD-SSD layer placed in the middle achieved the lowest indoor temperature (approximately 39.3 °C), corresponding to a 13.2% reduction compared to PCGBs without PCMs, while a 15 mm-thick layer positioned on the indoor side provided optimal temperature regulation performance. In summary, the CNTs/DHPD-SSD composite demonstrates excellent cost-effectiveness and strong potential for building thermal management and energy conservation.

Suggested Citation

  • Cai, Lei & Tian, Xinxu & Niu, Cheng & Zhang, Yuan & Shi, Xiaobin & Zhang, Yi & Li, Dongxu, 2026. "Heat transfer performance study of gypsum boards integrated with carbon nanotubes-hydrated salts phase change materials: An experimental and numerical study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:346:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226003592
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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