title: Increasing the thermal storage capacity of a phase change material by encapsulation: preparation and application in natural rubber.
abstract: Existing encapsulated organic phase change materials (PCM) usually contain a shell material that possesses a poor heat storage capacity and so results in a lowered latent heat storage density of the encapsulated PCM compared to unencapsulated PCM. Here, we demonstrate the use of a novel microencapsulation process to encapsulate n-eicosane (C20) into a 2:1 (w/w) ratio blend of ethyl cellulose (EC):methyl cellulose (MC) to give C20-loaded EC/MC microspheres with an increased heat storage capacity compared to the unencapsulated C20. Up to a 29 and 24% increase in the absolute enthalpy value during crystallization and melting were observed for the encap-C20/EC/MC microparticles with a 9% (w/w) EC/MC polymer content. The mechanism that leads to the increased latent heat storage capacity is discussed. The blending of the water-dispersible C20-loaded EC/MC microspheres into natural rubber latex showed excellent compatibility, and the obtained rubber composite showed not only an obvious thermoregulation property but also an improved mechanical property.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
authors: Songpon
authors: S
authors: Phadungphatthanakoon
authors: Sirilux
authors: S
authors: Poompradub
authors: Supason P
authors: SP
authors: Wanichwecharungruang
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D008863:Microspheres; D044367:Phase Transition; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; C050821:eicosane; C013517:ethyl cellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008747:Methylcellulose; D012408:Rubber