Preparation of PVA/paraffin thermal regulating fiber by in situ microencapsulation

In situ microencapsulation, a novel method, was applied to prepare thermal regulating fiber. The In situ microencapsulation of paraffin in PVA (fiber matrix) was performed by treating the as-spun fiber to promote the hydrolysis and polycondensation of ethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) at the interface between paraffin and PVA matrix. The mechanism of hydrolysis and polycondensation of TEOS was studied by a simulation experiment. The structure and properties of the thermal regulating PVA fibers were characterized by SEM, IR, DSC and tensile strength tester. Results showed that the paraffin phases tightly wrapped by TEOS hydrolysates were present in the PVA matrix when the as-spun fibers were treated in the acidic condition. The thermal regulating PVA fiber prepared by this method has a relatively high latent heat value (23.7 J g(-1)) and good latent heat stability. The mechanical property of the fiber is also good enough for application in textile. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.