Synthesis and properties of microencapsulated phase change material with a urea-formaldehyde resin shell and paraffin wax core

During this study, paraffin wax with low melting point was encapsulated in a urea-formaldehyde resin to prepare a novel microencapsulated phase change material (Micro-P6) for temperature regulation and thermal energy storage. The structure and properties of Micro-P6 were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, laser particle size analyzer, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the chemical structure of Micro-P6 meets the designed core-shell structure; and the paraffin wax with low melting point was successfully encapsulated by using urea-formaldehyde resin; and the Micro-P6 shows a spherical structure and rough surface, and the average size is 8.0-10.0 mu m. Then, the performances of Micro-P6, such as core content, mechanical property, thermal conductivity and durability, were tested. Based on above characterization and performance test, it was indicated that the synthesized Micro-P6 could be used in the field of cementing and construction for temperature regulation and thermal energy storage. The applications of Micro-P6 in the field of cementing and construction will be completed in our next study. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48578.