6th International conference on energy, materials and environmental science: enhancing thermal properties of wood–plastic composites through incorporation of phase change materials: a short review

Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) have gained popularity in outdoor applications due to their unique properties compared to conventional materials. However, these composites suffer from low energy storage capacity. To address this limitation and the growing need for energy-efficient and sustainable building materials, researchers have explored the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into WPCs. Incorporating PCMs into WPCs enhances energy storage, regulates indoor temperatures, and reduces energy consumption, making them more effective for sustainable construction. This short review explores the potential enhancement of thermal properties in wood–plastic composites (WPCs) by incorporating phase-change materials (PCMs). It reviews published research data that assesses the compatibility of various types of PCMs with WPCs and evaluates their impact on the composite properties. The bibliography results indicate that incorporating phase change material (PCM) into WPCs can significantly improve thermal regulation and energy efficiency, particularly with high PCM loadings. Nevertheless, the addition of PCMs to WPCs can present limitations such as compatibility issues, lower thermal conductivity than the polymer matrix and wood fibers, potential negative impact on mechanical properties, migration and leaching of PCMs over time, increased manufacturing costs, and technical challenges in achieving uniform dispersion. Careful selection of appropriate PCMs and their loading levels in WPCs is necessary to achieve optimum thermal performance. However, addressing these limitations offers opportunities to enhance the use of WPCs incorporated in PCMs as new, durable, and sustainable materials in architectural and construction applications.