Experimental study of thermal characteristics of bio-based textiles integrating microencapsulated phase change materials

Phase Change Materials (PCM) are used in the building walls to maximize thermal energy storage and to keep humans at a comfortable temperature by releasing and absorbing energy during the phase change, so they offer heat and cooling. This research study focuses on the use of microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) in bio-based textiles which can produce thermo-regulating characteristics to improve the energy performance of the building envelope. The latent heat which is absorbed during the melting process is studied and discussed in this research. The microcapsules are bounded onto the fabric surface by using an acrylic binder. Three types of biobased textiles modified by the addition of PCM microcapsules have been developed. The microcapsules and their effectiveness were tested by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Thermal tests. The melting temperatures of the MPCM obtained by DSC were 25.25 degrees C, while the corresponding latent heat was 194.9 J/g. While Thermogravimetric analysis shows a good thermal stability of the PCM microcapsules. The thermal tests showed an increase in specific heat and thermal conductivity for the recycled cotton, Biofib Trio insulation and cotton/linen/hemp samples in solid and liquid state, respectively. Economic and environmental investigation revealed that the group of samples with the lowest cost is textiles made of recycled cotton, with a low CO2 emission rate.The research concludes that MPCM is a good phase change material which can be applied to bio-based insulation materials by using an anionic emulsion of acrylamide copolymer as a binder to produce thermoregulating insulation textile to improve buildings energy efficiency.

Automated summary

This research focuses on the use of microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) in bio-based textiles to improve the energy performance of the building envelope. Through various tests, it is concluded that MPCM has good thermal stability and thermo-regulating properties, making it suitable for bio-based insulation materials.