Astana, Kazakhstan – 28 August 2025 – A groundbreaking study by researchers at Nazarbayev University and international collaborators delivers the first-ever critical review of review articles on phase change materials (PCMs) used in building energy systems. Published in Applied Energy, the paper undertakes a rigorous analysis of 271 review articles spanning from 1983 to 2024, unveiling insights often glossed over in previous literature.
Highlights
• Critical analysis of the review articles from 1983 to 2024.
• A complete list of all commercial PCMs with their thermophysical properties.
• LCA, Economic and Environmental viability of PCM incorporation in buildings.
• The Road Less Traveled: Emerging PCM Research Frontiers
• Future Research Opportunities and Scope of PCM Incorporation
The Challenge: Energy Demands of the Built Environment
Globally, the building sector is responsible for over one-third of final energy consumption and 37% of carbon emissions. As urbanization accelerates and climate-induced heatwaves increase, energy-efficient solutions are urgently required. PCMs – substances that absorb and release heat during phase transitions – have emerged as a promising tool to stabilize indoor temperatures, cut energy demand, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
What Makes This Study Unique
While hundreds of reviews on PCMs exist, this is the first study to critically analyze 271 review papers published between 1983 and 2024, uncovering hidden trends, inconsistencies, and unexplored opportunities. Highlights include:
- Complete catalog of commercial PCMs with thermophysical properties and manufacturer data.
- Evaluation of life cycle assessment (LCA), economic viability, and environmental implications of PCM integration.
- Critical review of encapsulation and integration techniques, from microencapsulation to form-stable composites.
- Evidence of PCM synergy with natural ventilation and free cooling, showing up to 73% energy savings in some configurations.
- Roadmap for future research, pointing to gaps in bio-based PCMs, standardized testing protocols, and economic feasibility analysis.
Global Collaboration
The study is co-authored by Abrar Ahmad and Prof. Shazim Ali Memon (Nazarbayev University), with collaborators from Washington State University (USA), Karadeniz Technical University (Türkiye), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (Saudi Arabia), and Bartin University (Türkiye).
Prof. Memon, corresponding author, emphasized: “Our work consolidates decades of fragmented knowledge into a single, actionable reference. By identifying both achievements and gaps, we aim to accelerate the adoption of PCMs for greener, more resilient buildings worldwide.”
Impact and Next Steps
By bridging academic knowledge with practical industry data, this comprehensive review serves as a reference point for policymakers, engineers, and researchers. The findings highlight that PCMs, when optimally selected and integrated, can reduce building cooling loads by up to 45% and extend building comfort across climate zones.
The article, “Breaking new ground: A first-of-its-kind critical analysis of review articles on phase change materials for building applications”, is published in Applied Energy (Elsevier) and available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125984