International Journal of Thermophysics (2018) 39:137 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10765-018-2459-z Fabrication of Dodecanol/Diatomite Shape-Stabilized PCM and Its Utilization in Interior Plaster Jan Foˇ rt 1 · Anton Trník 1 · Milena Pavlíková 1 · Zbyšek Pavlík 1 · Robert ˇ Cerný 1 Received: 29 September 2017 / Accepted: 9 October 2018 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract A novel shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM) is prepared as an energy- efficient solution aimed at the improvement of thermal stability of building materials. Dodecanol having a suitable temperature interval of phase transition and high latent heat is selected as the PCM medium. Diatomite powder used as the PCM core material is impregnated by dodecanol using the vacuum impregnation method. The particle size distribution of the prepared PCM is analyzed at first to find the possible agglomeration of particles. A detailed characterization of mutual material compatibility is performed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The melting and solidification temperatures of the developed PCM are found at 23.3 °C and 21.2 °C, respectively; the measurement of corresponding latent heats shows 71.4 J·g -1 and 72.6 J·g -1 . The incorporation of the novel PCM into cement–lime plaster does not significantly affect its phase change behavior and confirms its good potential for applications in building practice. Keywords DSC analysis · Energy conservation · Latent heat utilization · Phase change material · Plaster · Thermal energy storage 1 Introduction The worldwide development of building industry accompanied with a population boom enhances the demands on housing quality and further increases energy con- sumption necessary for buildings operation. Nowadays, a substantial share of the total energy production is consumed by the building sector which presents the third most energy-demanding sector after industry and transportation [1]. Sustainable develop- B Jan Foˇ rt jan.fort.1@fsv.cvut.cz 1 Department of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákurova 7, 166 29 Prague, Czech Republic 0123456789().: V,-vol 123