Effect of surfactant on the TiO ₂ microencapsulation of Thermochromic materials

Abstract

Summary This work investigates the effect of surfactant on the microencapsulation of thermochromic materials (TCMs) by TiO2. Three types of surfactants, namely Cetrimonium Bromide(CTAB), Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonate (SDBS), and Hexadecanol (HEXA) are deployed during the microemulsion process for the formation of a TiO2 shell layer on a commercial dyeTCM(CDTCM). These off‐the‐shelf CDTCMs are primarily Leuco dye particles that exhibit a color change (black to white) behavior at around 33°C. The role of TiO2 shell material encapsulation is to protect the CDTCMs from solar‐irradiated photodegradation by absorbing harmful UV radiation. Various analytical characterization methods, such as XRD, FTIR, UV‐Vis, DSC, SEM, HRTEM, and EDS were used to evaluate both the plain CDTCM and its TiO2 microencapsulated counterparts in terms of unraveling the structural, microstructural, chemical, and thermal properties. The reversible color change chromic characteristics were quantitatively and qualitatively examined via CIE Lab measurements. The microencapsulated TiO2@CDTCM fabricated in this study shows reversible thermochromic color change behavior and therefore has the potential for applications in energy‐savings in building envelops, smart windows, thermal energy storage and textile industries.

Pn@MF@SiO2 Double‐Shelled Phase Change Microcapsules with High Latent Heat and Low Leakage Rate

“…The microcapsules with inorganic shells exhibit superior thermal stability, thermal conductivity, mechanical durability and chemical inertness in comparison to organic polymer shells. [20] Various types of inorganic shell materials, including SiO 2 , [21] CaCO 3 [22] , TiO 2 [23,24] and PbWO 4 . [23] As an inorganic flame retardance material, SiO 2 has been widely used to fabricate microencapsulation of SLPCM.…”

Preparation of Temperature-Sensitive Colour-Changing Materials and Their Applications to Clothing Fabrics: Taking a Compound Composed of Crystal Violet Lactone, Bisphenol A, and Octadecanol as an Example

“…For instance, Sahebkar et al prepared thermochromic fibres by incorporating single strands of poly(methyl methacrylate) into thermochromic powder using electrostatic spinning [4]. Hakami et al investigated the influence of surfactants on the TiO2 microencapsulation of thermochromic materials [5]. Their experimental results verified the reversible thermochromic behaviour.…”