Stimuli-responsive foams based on Solid-Solid phase change materials (SS-PCMs) have been synthesized and evaluated for their use in passive temperature-controlling building enclosures. The transparency of these changes as a function of temperature, enabling the design of building enclosures capable of regulating their reflectivity as a function of temperature, thus increasing the efficiency of the thermally regulating layer. The polymeric matrices were synthesized by radical polymerization of mixtures containing a crosslinker, a mechanically-reinforcing monomer and a polymerizable phase-changing motif. The effect of matrix composition on the heat-storing capacity and the temperature-responsive optical contrast will be described. A series of solvent- and porogen-mediated foaming protocols were tested and evaluated a optimal methods to produce large area coatings. Optimized compositions can generate coatings with latent heats above 100 J/g and temperature-dependent transmission contrast ratios higher than 50:1. These properties confirm our finite-element calculations indicating that incorporation of these “smart” coatings into building enclosures is a promising path to the development of more energy efficient buildings.

Stimuli-responsive foams for the energy efficient building enclosure systems

2019 Spring National Meeting

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