Intelligent adjustment of light-to-thermal energy conversion efficiency of thermo-regulated fabric containing reversible thermochromic MicroPCMs

Abstract

In this study, a series of reversible thermochromic MicroPCMs (RT-MPCMs) were synthetized through encapsulating ternary thermochromic mixtures via in-situ polymerization, and presented outstanding stable light-to-thermal conversion capability (η = 86.9%), excellent latent thermal energy storage-release performance (ΔHm = 171.9 J·g−1, ΔHc = 171.4 J·g−1) and color-changing monitoring the states of energy storage or release, satisfactory thermal reliability and thermal cyclic durability. The RT-MPCMs with spherical integrity, smooth surface morphology and obvious core-shell microstructure were obtained by emulsifying with the solution (1.2 wt%–3.1 wt%) of sodium salt of styrene maleic anhydride copolymer. The crystallization of RT-MPCMs was mainly affected by the structure of methyl stearate (MeS). The crystallization changes and coloration inside capsules was observed real-timely via microscope at different temperature ranging from 1 to 40 °C. In addition, based on these excellent performances, the actual application value of RT-MPCMs was further discussed. The narrow-disperse composite macrocapsules containing RT-MPCMs was prepared and further encapsulated by real non-woven fabrics substrate for the intelligent adjustment-based garment to research practical value in thermoregulation field. The experimental results show that it can absorb the latent thermal energy from the skin or environmental heat, which is beneficial for keeping constant and comfortable body surface temperature, and showing great application value in the fields of temperature regulation and thermal management.