Experimental investigation of a cement-based mortar enhanced with granular phase change materials (PCMs) and graphene

The addition of phase change materials (PCMs) into building materials represents a valid strategy towards the improvement of the thermal performance and therefore of the indoor comfort. However, when paraffin PCMs are added to increase the building component thermal capacity, the overall thermal conductivity inevitably decreases due to the PCM low thermal conductivity. The research here presented focused on the addition of granular paraffin PCM into a cement-based mortar to improve the thermal storage capacity, and of graphene to counterbalance the reduction of the thermal conductivity. Experimental tests at laboratory scale were carried out at the TekneHub Laboratory at the University of Ferrara (Italy), where two equivalent samples of radiant floor were realized and installed in a room with constant temperature and were monitored in terms of temperatures and heat fluxes. Results confirm the effect of PCM in keeping the floor at a higher temperature than the reference case and therefore delaying the cooling.