Microcapsules composed of stearic acid core and polyethylene glycol-based shell as a microcapsule phase change material

The shell materials of the existing microcapsule phase change materials (PCMs) are always not PCMs, so the enthalpy change (Delta H) in the phase transition processes of these microcapsule PCMs is much smaller compared with the pure encapsulated PCMs (the core materials), reducing the storage ability for thermal energy of the microcapsules. Herein, we prepared microcapsules composed of stearic acid (SA) core and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based shell as a microcapsule PCM. The PEG-based shell is a solid-solid PCM with cross-linked network, which is in solid state even at 80 degrees C, avoiding the leakage and lose of the whole microcapsule PCM. Additionally, the microcapsule PCM has high Delta H of 113.4 and 115.3 J g(-1) during their solidification and melting procedures respectively, displaying outstanding storage capacity for thermal energy. The microcapsule PCM shows dual temperature range in the melting/solidification process resulting in a wide effective temperature range, and has better thermal stability than pure SA. Moreover, the thermal property of the microcapsules changes a little after 100 times of thermal cycling, indicating high thermal reliability of the material.

Automated summary

The study prepared microcapsules composed of stearic acid core and polyethylene glycol-based shell as a microcapsule PCM, showing high thermal storage capacity and dual temperature range in the melting/solidification process. It demonstrates better thermal stability than pure stearic acid and high thermal reliability after 100 times of thermal cycling.