Surface modification of light hollow polymer microspheres and its application in external wall thermal insulation coatings

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to modify light hollow polymer microsphere (LHPM) with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) to improve its compatibility with latex and apply the obtained nano-TiO2/LHPM composite particles in external wall thermal insulation coatings. Design/methodology/approach – The nano-TiO2/LHPM composite particles were prepared via vigorous stirring. The morphology and chemical composition of the produced nano-TiO2/LHPM composite particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectrum, thermo-gravimetric analyzer and Fourier transform infrared. The performance of this new composite coating was evaluated by checking its stability, density, radiation reflectivity, thermal conductivity and the resulting insulation temperature difference when forming coating film. Findings – It was found that a 9:1 mass ratio of nano-TiO2/LHPM with total 10 weight per cent composite particles in the thermal insulation paint showed low density, good stability, low thermal conductivity (0.1687 W/m·K) and high insulation temperature difference (5.8°C). Research limitations/implications – The LHPM can be modified by other nanoparticles to improve its insulation performance in thermal insulation coatings. Practical implications – This work provides a simple, robust, but effective approach to produce new thermal insulation coatings with nano-TiO2/LHPM composite particles. Originality/value – This method for surface modification of LHPMs is novel and the modified hollow polymer microspheres could be applied to external wall insulation coatings.

Review on Synthesis of Colloidal Hollow Particles and Their Applications

“…Hybrid particles of light hollow polymer microsphere (LHPM) physically coated with TiO 2 nanoparticles were incorporated in the external wall of thermal insulation coatings. 125 By adding 10 wt % of LHPM@TiO 2 hybrid particles in the coating recipe, the density of paint was only 0.8554 g/cm 3 while maintaining high paint stability. The thermal conductivity of this material (0.1687 W/m•K) reduced ca.…”

Glassy Microspheres for Energy Applications

“…As for HGM, surface modification of HPM may be necessary to improve the compatibility of the particles with the matrix; in fact, the low density (25 kg/m 3 ) of light HPM fillers produces a heterogeneous dispersion in polymer latex, which in turn may result in poor stability of the insulation coatings. Ye et al [ 77 ] developed a simple process to produce nano-TiO 2 /HPM core-shell composite particles and applied them in external wall thermal insulation coatings. By adding the novel material to a traditional coating and choosing the optimal volume ratio, the thermal conductivity was reduced about nine-fold, reaching 0.1687 W/mK [ 77 ].…”

“…Ye et al [ 77 ] developed a simple process to produce nano-TiO 2 /HPM core-shell composite particles and applied them in external wall thermal insulation coatings. By adding the novel material to a traditional coating and choosing the optimal volume ratio, the thermal conductivity was reduced about nine-fold, reaching 0.1687 W/mK [ 77 ]. Thermally expandable polymer microspheres (EPM) are one of the most widely used foaming additives used today; they consist of core/shell particles in which a blowing agent, typically a low boiling hydrocarbon, is encapsulated by a thermoplastic polymer shell [ 78 , 79 , 80 ].…”

Fast and Environmentally Friendly Microfluidic Technique for the Fabrication of Polymer Microspheres

“…Microspheres, also known as microbeads, have found wide applications in different areas such as drug delivery, 1−6 biotechnology, 7,8 catalysis, 9 coatings, 10 chemical sensing, 11 and bead injection analysis (BIA). 12−14 Microspheres of a synthetic polymer can be prepared either by polymerization of its monomers 15 or from a solution of the polymer using various physical fabrication techniques.…”

“…Microspheres, also known as microbeads, have found wide applications in different areas such as drug delivery, − biotechnology, , catalysis, coatings, chemical sensing, and bead injection analysis (BIA). − Microspheres of a synthetic polymer can be prepared either by polymerization of its monomers or from a solution of the polymer using various physical fabrication techniques . Compared to the polymerization approaches which are only applicable to some polymers, the physical fabrication techniques using polymer solutions can be applied to any polymer as long as a suitable solvent is available to dissolve the polymer.…”