Core/Shell Structured PCM Nanocapsules Obtained by Resin Fortified Emulsion Process

Phase change material (PCM, octadecane) nanocapsules were successfully prepared by resin fortified emulsion (RFE) polymerization using the alkali soluble resin (ASR) of poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (EAA) and poly(styrene‐co‐acrylic acid) (SAA). Stable PCM nanocapsules were obtained by resin fortified emulsion polymerization, which could be attributed to the prevention of Ostwald ripening due to PCM being hydrophobic. Analysis of online FTIR measurements throughout the reaction confirmed that the nanocapsules contained octadecane as a PCM. TEM imaging of the PCM nanocapsules showed spherical and core/shell morphology. The characteristics of PCM nanocapsules can be controlled by process parameters. As a result, the particle size and particle size distribution (i.e., polydispersity index (Dw/Dn)) of the PCM nanocapsules were created by adjusting manufacturing conditions. The PCM nanocapsules exhibited thermal energy storage (∼49.8 J/g) and release (∼47.9 J/g) behavior.

Keywords:

• Phase change material
• core/shell structure
• nanocapsule
• resin fortified emulsion process
• alkali‐soluble resin

This work was supported by the Ministry of Commerce, the Industry and Energy (MOCIE) through the project of NGNT (No. 10024135‐2005‐11), and by KOSEF through the National Core Research Center for Nanomedical Technology (R15‐2004‐024‐00000‐0).