Investigations on thermal properties of microencapsulated phase‐change materials with different acrylate‐based copolymer shells as thermal insulation materials

Abstract

A series of microencapsulated phase‐change materials (micro‐PCMs) with binary cores and acrylate‐based copolymer shells were prepared. The micro‐PCMs contained octadecane and butyl stearate as binary‐core materials. Allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4‐butanediol diacrylate (BDDA), and 1,6‐hexanediol dimethacrylate were respectively introduced to copolymerize with divinylbenzene (DVB) to form different microcapsule shells. In this work, the influence of the types of core and shell materials and core–shell weight ratios on the thermal properties of micro‐PCMs was studied. The chemical structures, morphologies, thermal properties, and thermal insulation properties of the wallboards were all tested and discussed. Scanning electron microscope photographs show that these micro‐PCMs have relatively spherical profiles and compact surfaces with diameters ranging from 10 to 80 μm. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that their microencapsulation efficiency ranged from 48 wt % to 80 wt %. A thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that these micro‐PCMs can ensure their thermal stability below 210°C. Finally, a thermal insulation wallboard fabricated with synthesized P(BDDA‐co‐DVB) micro‐PCMs showed excellent thermal energy storage performance, keeping the temperature fluctuation within 2.5°C. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47777.

Engineering the Thermal Conductivity of Functional Phase‐Change Materials for Heat Energy Conversion, Storage, and Utilization

“…In addition, Wu et al also found that the thermal conductivity of PU was reduced to 0.25 W m −1 K −1 due to the restrained molecular movement, compared with that of pure PEG‐6000 (i.e., 0.31 W m −1 K −1 ) . Ma et al prepared a series of microencapsulated PCMs with binary cores and acrylate‐based copolymer shells and found that the wallboard fabricated with the synthesized microencapsulated PCMs showed an excellent thermal insulation performance . This can be attributed to the reduced thermal conductivity after encapsulation with copolymer shells, simply because the thermal insulation performance is positively correlated with a low thermal conductivity .…”

“…[37] Ma et al prepared a series of microencapsulated PCMs with binary cores and acrylate-based copolymer shells and found that the wallboard fabricated with the synthesized microencapsulated PCMs showed an excellent thermal insulation performance. [145] This can be attributed to the reduced thermal conductivity after encapsulation with copolymer shells, simply because the thermal insulation performance is positively correlated with a low thermal conductivity. [146] Meanwhile, Ma et al investigated the reduced thermal conductivity of the polymer.…”

A2B2-Type Zinc(II) Porphyrin-Modified Organic Polymers with Flexible Linkers for Efficient Fixation of CO2 to Cyclic Carbonate

“…As far as we know, hydrogels are three-dimensional network structures consisting of polymeric chains and are swollen in water up to thermodynamic equilibrium. , Inspired by the swelling effect of hydrogels, we wondered whether the polymers prepared by flexible linkers could expand their volume in the substrate solvent and thus facilitate the contact between the substrate and the active sites. To our delight, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) not only had a long flexible chain but also was an ideal connector of copolymers due to the direct connection between the ester carbonyl group and the alkene bond. − Simultaneously, the high degree of cross-linking may cause the polymers to pack tightly, which was not conducive to the exposure of the active sites. Therefore, the A 4 -type porphyrins were adjusted to the A 2 B 2 -type porphyrins in order to reduce the degree of cross-linking.…”

Toward Tailoring Chemistry of Silica-Based Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

“…For instance, PCMs with low thermal conductivity can be used in building architecture, biological thermotherapy, and high technology (like infrared stealth). Ma et al. (2019 ) prepared the wallboard containing microencapsulated PCMs composed of binary cores and acrylate-based copolymer shells showing excellent thermal insulation performance.…”

“…For instance, PCMs with low thermal conductivity can be used in building architecture, biological thermotherapy, and high technology (like infrared stealth). Ma et al (2019) prepared the wallboard containing microencapsulated PCMs composed of binary cores and acrylate-based copolymer shells showing excellent thermal insulation performance. Chen et al (2020a) prepared 3D freestanding flexible CNT sponge-based PCMs with a low thermal conductivity for high-performance thermotherapy of allergic rhinitis.…”