Digitally Tunable Dual-Phase Polymer–PCM Composites for IoT-Based Adaptive Thermal Management in Smart Buildings

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 03 | Page :
    By

    J. Lurdhumary,

  • S.K. Ashok,

  • Y. Suganya,

  • S. Lakshminarasimhan,

  • A. Jagadesan,

  • Sivakumar Karthikeyan,

  • Varadharajan.S,

  • Chitra Devi D,

  • K. Nithya,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Associate Professor, Department of Automobile Engineering, Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, J.J College of Engineering and Technology, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, R.M.K Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, R.M.D Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  9. Assistant Professor, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This study presents the design and development of digitally tunable dual-phase polymer–phase change material (PCM) composites for advanced thermal management in smart building applications. The composite is based on a hybrid polymer matrix comprising thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel, reinforced with paraffin microencapsulated PCM and hydrated salt PCM to achieve multi-stage thermal energy storage. The polymer composite architecture enables enhanced structural integrity, high encapsulation efficiency (>90%), and effective suppression of PCM leakage during phase transitions. Thermal analysis reveals dual-phase transition peaks around 30°C and 40°C with an overall latent heat storage capacity of 142–186 kJ/kg, indicating improved energy storage density. The continuous polymer matrix and interconnected gel network significantly enhance thermal conductivity to approximately 0.42 W/m·K by providing efficient heat transfer pathways. Morphological studies confirm uniform dispersion of microcapsules and strong interfacial bonding within the polymer composite system. The integration of IoT-enabled sensing and feedback control introduces digital tunability, enabling real-time adaptive thermal regulation with a 28–35% reduction in peak temperatures. Long-term cycling stability demonstrates less than 3% degradation after 200 cycles, confirming durability of the polymer composite structure. The developed polymer–PCM composite offers a synergistic combination of thermal storage, mechanical stability, and intelligent control, making it highly suitable for sustainable smart building applications.

Keywords: Dual-phase PCM, Polymer composite, Thermal regulation, IoT control, Smart buildings

How to cite this article:
J. Lurdhumary, S.K. Ashok, Y. Suganya, S. Lakshminarasimhan, A. Jagadesan, Sivakumar Karthikeyan, Varadharajan.S, Chitra Devi D, K. Nithya. Digitally Tunable Dual-Phase Polymer–PCM Composites for IoT-Based Adaptive Thermal Management in Smart Buildings. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
J. Lurdhumary, S.K. Ashok, Y. Suganya, S. Lakshminarasimhan, A. Jagadesan, Sivakumar Karthikeyan, Varadharajan.S, Chitra Devi D, K. Nithya. Digitally Tunable Dual-Phase Polymer–PCM Composites for IoT-Based Adaptive Thermal Management in Smart Buildings. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=243979


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
03
Received 02/05/2026
Accepted 08/05/2026
Published 15/05/2026
Publication Time 13 Days
1

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