Fabrication and characterization of micro-encapsulated sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer shells

Microencapsulations of sodium phosphate dodecahydrate with different crosslinked polymer as shells were carried out by in situ polymerization and solvent evaporation method. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), urea were employed to crosslink with ethyl acrylate (EA) and formaldehyde, respectively. The influences of the type of crosslinking agent on the performance of as-prepared microencapsulated phase change materials (microPCMs) have been studied. The microPCMs were investigated using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope. Thermal properties and thermal stability of microPCMs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermalgravimetric analysis. Conclusion points out that thermal properties and thermal resistant temperatures of microPCMs vary from the type of crosslinkable functional moieties of the crosslinking agents. The temperature range of melting enlarged and the melting temperature increased according to the prepared microPCMs, which is suitable for thermal energy storage.