Performance Assessment of Plasterboard with Flexural Reinforcement Incorporating a Microencapsulated Capric–Lauric Acid/Expanded Vermiculite Phase Change Material

The world is facing a significant challenge in managing limited energy resources due to rapid population growth and higher living standards. The use of air conditioners to improve human comfort has increased, which has resulted in the emission of more carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. The construction sector accounts for approximately 50 % of the total CO 2 emissions due to the utilization of large amounts of cementitious materials. Therefore, as an alternative to cementitious materials and to minimize air-conditioner-related energy consumption, gypsum board panels are often used as ceilings and partition walls to maintain stable indoor temperatures in buildings. This study focuses on enhancing the thermal properties of gypsum boards by adding a phase change material by partially replace gypsum powder without compromising the structural integrity. Bio-based phase change material was prepared by the vacuum impregnation method with capric acid and lauric acid as its main components and expanded vermiculite as a carrier. The optimum capric acid-to-lauric acid ratio of 65:35 was fixed based on the thermal properties determined from differential scanning calorimetry experiments. This newly developed PCM was further microencapsulated via a sol-gel process using tetraethoxysilane and ethyl alcohol to prevent its leakage during phase transitions. Finally, the microencapsulated phase change material was incorporated into gypsum board to improve the thermal properties by replacing gypsum powder. The optimum replacement ratio was determined based on an analysis of the thermal and mechanical properties of gypsum boards with expanded vermiculite incorporated at various replacement ratios. The optimum replacement was found to be 40%, resulting in a thermal conductivity of 0.07W/m. K, which is 42.9% lower than that of conventional gypsum board. Mechanical testing revealed compressive and flexural strength values of 4.304N/mm 2 and 0.985N/mm 2 , meeting the standard code requirements. The impact resistance showed a mark depth of 1.885mm, within the allowable limit. Additionally, the water absorption value obtained stands below 5%, confirming adequate durability of gypsum board. The thermal performance of the developed PCM-incorporated gypsum board was analysed via a COMSOL Multiphysics simulation to prove the utility of this developed material. • Bio-based phase change material is integrated in a plasterboard. • The results show that the optimal replacement is 40 % weight phase change material • Compressive and flexural strengths comply with prescription given by the code • Thermal performance of the developed PCM-incorporated gypsum shows high potential