Thermal behavior of poly(allyl methacrylate) based n-alkanes microcapsules during rapid cooling
摘要
This study explores the use of poly(allyl methacrylate) (polyAMA) for the microencapsulation of n-alkane phase change materials (PCMs), focusing on its effectiveness as a shell material and its impact on thermal performance. PolyAMA provides both efficient encapsulation and enhanced thermal stability for hexadecane and pentadecane, which were encapsulated via emulsion polymerization. Morphological analysis showed that the microcapsules had uniform, spherical shapes with median diameters of 33 μm for hexadecane (microHD) and 43 μm for pentadecane (microPD). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed high latent heat storage capacities of 103.63 J g−1 for microHD, and 113.38 J g−1 for microPD, confirming their suitability for thermal energy storage with good thermal stability, with initial degradation temperatures above 120 °C. To evaluate practical applicability, microPD was incorporated into fiberglass, which is a widely used and thermally stable material in construction, forming composite structures with improved thermal regulation. The results demonstrate that polyAMA-based n-alkane microcapsules possess exceptional thermal properties, making them ideal candidates for TES in buildings and textiles. By effectively mitigating rapid temperature fluctuations, these materials can contribute to more comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environments, ultimately promoting sustainable building and textile applications.