Reducing the Effects of Low Albedo of Asphalt Materials Incorporating Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 1000, 2000 and 4000 as Phase Change Materials (PCM)

¹ Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Azurém Campus, Guimarães, Portugal
² ISISE, ARISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Azurém Campus, Guimarães, Portugal
³ Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde, Brazil
⁴ Simoldes Plastics, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
⁵ Centre for Textile Science and Technology, University of Minho (2C2T - UM), Azurém Campus, Guimarães, Portugal
⁶ Centre of Physics of Minho and Porto Universities (CF-UM-UP), University of Minho, Gualtar Campus, Braga, Portugal

^* Corresponding authors: claverpinheiro@gmail.com; iran@civil.uminho.pt; mfcosta@fisica.uminho.pt; carneiro@fisica.uminho.pt

Published online: 18 October 2023

Abstract

Albedo plays a vital role in urban microclimates. Civil engineering structures usually absorb a high amount of energy in form of heat, for example asphalt pavements, which have a low albedo, thus contributing to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. Modifying the physical characteristics of asphalt pavements, including reflectance and thermal properties, can help mitigate UHI. The literature points out that one alternative to thermoregulating asphalt materials is the incorporation of phase change materials. Thus, the main goal of this research is to present a systematic review regarding the effectiveness of the incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000, 2000 and 4000 as Phase Change Material (PCM) in asphalt materials. The results showed that incorporating PEG into asphalt materials can regulate heat storage, promoting stability and reducing UHI effects. PEG2000 was more frequently used. PEGs can reduce between of 3.5 and 4.2ºC of the asphalt materials when compared to the conventional ones.