Thermal Performance of Epoxy/Aerogel Nano-Composites as Cladding Insulation Panels for Residential Buildings in a Hot Arid Region

Abstract

Nanotechnology has witnessed a big role within the field of energy saving, especially when nanomaterials are implemented to compose superinsulation materials. In the current study, a practical investigation has been conducted to evaluate the thermal performance of epoxy/aerogel nano-composites to use as cladding insulation panels for the external walls in a building in a hot arid region. The work finds experimentally the thermal conductivity of the nano-composite samples of epoxy/aerogel for some loading contents of aerogel, as: 1.5, 3, and 6%, and compares it to a reference sample without loading of nanomaterial. The investigation has found that the reduction of thermal conductivity due to the use of nanomaterial has a direct effect on the amount of heat transferred through the building elements. According to the results, 3% loading of aerogel nanoparticles into the epoxy base resin was the optimum loading, which significantly improves the insulation capacity. In general, the decrease in thermal conductivity value of the nano-composite sample was 40-55% compared to the solid reference sample. The using of the optimum nano-composite panel (in certain conditions) with 3 mm thickness can eliminate the heat gain by up to 25% compared to conventional cladding panels (Alucobonds), and 45% compared to the case without any panels for the external walls.