Synthesis and Characterization of Phase Change Material Microcapsules Using Different Emulsifiers

Abstract

In this study, a series of phase change material microcapsules (MicroPCMs) were synthesized by a core-shell-like emulsion polymerization method using different emulsifiers. The interactions between core material, shell material and dispersed medium were investigated in detail. The copolymer (PS-MAA) of styrene and methylacrylic acid and paraffin were used as wall materials and core materials respectively. High temperature interfacial tensiometer was employed to measure the interactions between different materials. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and laser particle size analyzer were used to characterize the chemical structure, morphology, thermal properties, particles size and size distribution of the MicroPCMs. The results indicated that alkylphenol polyoxyethylene (OP-10) is the optimal emulsifier in this method. The MicroPCMs prepared by using OP-10 as emulsifier displayed smooth and compact surface, the productivity was as high as 93.35%. The melting enthalpy and crystallization enthalpy were -84.6J/g and 83.5J/g, respectively. The mean particle size was 16.33μm.