Nanoinsulation Materials for Energy Efficient Buildings

The chapter focuses on the application of nanotechnology to building insulation material industry in order to achieve advanced insulation products able to provide a very high thermal resistance in a reduced thickness. The chapter presents a thorough review of nanoinsulation materials for buildings, describing their preparation method and manufacturing process and providing a comprehensive analysis on different products available in the market and examining and comparing their characteristics and performances, including costs and environmental features. Nanoinsulation materials (NIMs), such as aerogels (FRABs, TIMs) and vacuum insulating panels (VIPs), are fully described and compared with conventional insulation materials in terms of technical performances, workability, costs, and environmental sustainability, and their possible application for new zero energy buildings and energy retrofit interventions are illustrated.