Summary Novel microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) composed of the lead tungstate (PbWO4) shell and paraffin core were designed for shielding of gamma radiation as well as thermal energy storage. Such MEPCMs were prepared via self‐assembly methods and in‐situ precipitation. The PbWO4 shell with excellent photon attenuation can give the resulting MEPCMs an acceptable gamma radiation shielding capability. The chemical composition and structure of microcapsules samples were studied by X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of different core/shell mass ratios on the surface morphology and microstructure of the MEPCMs were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). It was confirmed that the microcapsules exhibit a distinct core‐shell structure and a perfect spherical shape. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to present thermal stability and thermal‐storage capability of MEPCMs. A high‐purity germanium gamma spectrometer to measure the attenuation coefficient of the microcapsules for gamma rays showed that the MECPMs has good γ‐rays‐shielding property. The multifunction microcapsules in this study have great potential applications for building energy conservation as well as wearable personal protection in nuclear energy engineering.

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Summary New multifunctional phase change microcapsules with paraffin (Pn) as core and GO and lead tungstate (PbWO4) as double‐shell were designed by modified GO Pickering emulsion, and the effect of GO content on Pn@GO@PbWO4 microcapsules was studied. The morphology, chemical composition, and structure of Pn@GO@PbWO4 microcapsules were characterized, and their performance was studied in depth. The Pn@GO@PbWO4 microcapsules had a dense shell and a regular spherical structure. Compared with microcapsules without GO addition, the resultant Pn@GO@PbWO4 microcapsules could demonstrate high phase change reliability and thermal stability. Most of all, the anti‐seepage performance had been greatly improved by 67.27%. The results of contact angle (CA) measurement and gamma‐ray shielding test showed that the GO and PbWO4 double‐shell multifunctional microcapsules with superhydrophobic property and good gamma‐ray shielding property and high anti‐seepage performance had great attraction in expanding the application field of phase change materials.

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