▪The PCM-epoxi nano-composite materials obtained as cross-linked three dimensional structures are attractive for space heating and cooling of buildings able to reduce the space and costs for containerization. ▪The use of PCM in buildings is possible only if some regulations and performance criteria are applied in accordance with the European Directions: resistance and stability, fire security, human health and environmental protection, energy saving and thermal insulation. ▪The stability of buildings depends on materials used for. Properties of nanocomposites substantially improved:  Mechanical properties : strength, modulus and dimensional stability  Thermal stability: Thermal resistance, flame retardancy and reduced smoke emissions  Decreased permeability to gases, water and hydrocarbons M.Constantinescu 1, D.Constantinescu 2, L.Dumitrache 3,,C.Perianu Marin 2, A.Stoica 1, M.Ladaniuc 3 P.M.Pavel 1 and M.Olteanu 1. 1 AR-ICF “Ilie Murgulescu”, 2 INCERC Bucharest, 3 ICECHIM Bucharest Romanian Academy of Science Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu” Spl. Independentei 202, Bucharest, + Hardening reaction of epoxi resin with PCM Nano composites preparation Demands for a Phase Change Material Physico-chemical: -Phase change temperature in the required domain -High latent heat of phase change and caloric capacity -High thermal conductivity -Low undercooling -Low volume changes -Reversible phase transition -Good physical and chemical stability Kinetical : -High nucleation and crystal grow velocity Economical : -low cost -Reciclability -Non-toxicity Material characterization and testing DSC for PEG 2000+Al DSC for epoxi-PEG Al SEM micrographs for polyethylene glycol (PEG) % epoxy resin Ropoxid % PEG +Al powder melted and mixed. Then hardener TETA or I 3361 was used Objectives and importance of energy storage in PCM Energy storage aims to reduce the conventional energy consumtion with a direct impact on CO 2 emissions. The advantages of phase change materials: A constant temperature domain for the phase transformation, chosen for each application. High storage density kWh/m 3 Directions of research on heat storage in phase change materials : ▪Finding new materials with superior performances ▪Elimination of existent material disadvantages. An epoxi-PCM was obtained and characterized whereas PCM was used polyethylene glycol of different molecular weights (1000, 1500, 2000). DSC for PEG 1500+Al CONCLUSIONS 1.The nanocomposite materials for buildings were obtained by using melted (PCM wt%Al powder for enhancing the thermal conductivity of the system ) 70 wt%, incorporated in an epoxidic resin 30 wt%. For all Epoxi-PCM materials was used Ropoxid 501 (Policolor), with 26% hardener threeethylentetramine (TETA) or I 3361 (Policolor). The composition of the materials was PCM ( polyethyleneglycoles 1000, 1500 and 2000) 70wt% and 30%epoxy resin, which hardened at the ambient temperature in 24 h and the process was ended in 7 days as can be seen from the process kinetics. 2.The materials were characterized and present good mechanical, thermal and chemical properties suitable for building materials. 3.The transfer coefficients calculated from the thermal discharging experiments in the shown set up indicated an acceptable value and time evolution. 4.These nano composites can be used for different applications in active or pasive systems, depending on their melting temperature. The geometry used depends also on their melting temperature and on the chosen application. 5. Energy storage in building materials will reduce the conventional energy consumptions, will increase the living comfort, decreasing the CO 2 emissions. PCM epoxy Maximum PCM in an epoxi matrix Nano composites PEG 1000,1500, PEG 2000 for different applications PC H2OH2O H2OH2O vacuu m Warm water thermocouples w0w0 w1w Amplifier interface air Thermostat Experimental set-up for heat transfer coefficient determination *interface pipe for transfer fluid-PEG Experimental cell SEM micrographs for polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500SEM micrographs for polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000 (PCM)-EPOXI COMPOSITE BUILDING MATERIALS Kinetics of hardening reaction for the studied systems in isotherm regime from DSC experiments Ropoxid 501+I 3361, 0 PCM - Ropoxid 501+I 3361 PCM had no influence on the kinetics of the hardening process The thermo-physical properties of the PEG-epoxi composites. Type Temperature 0 C Density ρ Kg/m 3 Dimensional variation, d mm (L,B,W) Tempera ture 0 C Thermal conductivity W/(mK) Thermal diffusivity Mean value m 2 /s Specific heat,c, kJ/(kgK) Epoxy PEG T m T f  Epoxy PEG T m T f  Epoxy PEG T f * T ies and T int are the temperatures of the transfer fluid at exit respectively entrance at the interface PEG-transfer fluid, T f is the phase change temperature, ΔT = T ies - T int Temperature distribution in the PEG 1500 system at thermal discharge 1/k chf = 1/k exp – d 1 / λ *k chf is the heat transfer coefficient at the interface PEG-transfer fluid during phase change, d 1 /λ is the thermal resistance of the PEG layer between the thermocouple T 1 and the interface PEG-transfer fluid, k exp is the experimental heat transfer coefficient between the thermocouple T 1 and the transfer fluid, λ = W/mK is the thermal conductivity of PEG, d 1 = m is the distance between the thermocouple T 1 and the interface PEG-transfer fluid. κ exp = q chf (T 1 - T c ) = [q exp - q sens ] /(T 1 - T c ) *q chf is the rate of heat flow during the phase change, q exp is the rate of experimental heat flow, q sens is the rate of sensible heat flow, T c = (T int + T ies )/2 is the mean temperature of the transfer fluid. q sens =  PEG V PEG c PEG (T 0 - T fin )[1 - (T med - T fin )/(T 0 - T fin )]/(AcΔt ) *T 0 = [T 1 (t 0 ) + T 4 (t 0 )]/2 = o C is the mean temperature of PEG at the start of thermal discharge, T fin = [T 1 (t fin ) + T 4 (t fin )]/ o C is the mean temperature of PEG at the end of thermal discharge, T med = [T 1 (t) + T 4 (t)]/2 is the mean temperature of PEG at the momemnt t, Δt-time between two readings of T 1 and T 4, V PEG = m 3 is volume, c PEG = 2440 J/KgK specific heat,  PEG = Kg/m 3 density of PEG. Time evolution of q exp, q chf and k chf q exp =  c c c D c (T int - T ies )/A c *A c = m 2 is the surface of the interface between PEG and transfer fluid, D c = 0.5 l/min is the flow rate,  c = Kg/m 3 is the density and c c = 4183 J/KgK specific heat of the transfer fluid. where: * T f is the phase change temperature, “a” was calculated from thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and density were measured in standard conditions. The maximum error for dimensional variation was ± 1.5% even after PCM was melted PEG + Ropoxid 501Ropoxid 501 Ropoxid 501 TETA Heat transfer coefficients determination