Microencapsulation of n-tridecane / n-tetradecane eutectic mixture with poly(methyl methacrylate) shell for candidate for food packaging thermal energy storage material

Among the healthiest methods of food preservation is cold storage, but expensive, non-eco-friendly fossil fuel-based materials are used for this purpose. Microcapsules that do not store latent heat at phase change can be applied to packaging material with their heat storage and diffusion properties to minimize the use of fossil fuels. This application with such features as light weight and small footprint can reduce transportation and storage costs. In the food industry, one of the sensitive products with a storage temperature of 0-2 degrees C is food and especially aquatic products. The packaging materials (styrofoam, plastic crate, etc.) are ineffective in maintaining the temperature required for the storage and transportation of food products. Moreover, during transportation, the ice in Styrofoam sticks together because of temperature fluctuations and forms a mass that is heavy enough to crush the product. Microcapsules containing phase change material (PCM) keep products at a reasonable storage temperature in the case of undesired temperature rises or drops. This study uses polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microcapsules containing n-tridecane (C13) and n-tetradecane (C14), with cooling properties to prevent temperature fluctuations. The microcapsules were characterized by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), polarized optical microscope (POM), and a particle size analyzer. The DSC results showed that PMMA/(C13-C14) microcapsules can store 89.63 J/g latent heat energy at (+0.30)-(+2.80 degrees C), which is within the targeted temperature range. In addition, the research produced microcapsules usable for food that can be stored at (-9) to (-3) degrees C.

Automated summary

Cold storage is a healthy method of preserving food, but it often relies on expensive and non-environmentally friendly fossil fuel-based materials. This study explores the use of microcapsules with heat storage and diffusion properties in packaging materials to minimize the use of fossil fuels. The results show that these microcapsules can effectively maintain the desired storage temperature range for sensitive food products.