Microencapsulation of Butyl Palmitate in Polystyrene-co-Methyl Methacrylate Shell for Thermal Energy Storage Application

Abstract

MicroEncapsulated Phase Change Materials (MEPCM) are green materials which could be used for thermal energy saving applications in buildings as a non-pollutant method for environmental. PCMs could passively reduce peak cooling loads in hot seasons because of their high energy storage capacities at a constant temperature. Purpose of this paper is manufacturing Microencapsulated PCM (MPCM) products for use in gypsum wall applications, with the aim of expanding in use from butyl palmitate in polystyrene-co-methyl methacrylate shells. This type of microencapsules synthesis had not been previously described in the literature, nor patented. PCM (butyl palmitate) can be encapsulated by these processes and in the form of core-shell structure with use of different stirring rates and hybridized suspension agents. SEM micrographs of microencapsulated MPCMs show that spherical microcapsules were obtained with a narrow PSD (0-150 μm) with a stirring rate of 800 rpm and hybridized suspension agent (TCP). About, 65 % (wt.) of MPCMs was butyl palmitate with 70.6 J/g of latent heat energy which indicates the applicability of this synthesis MPCMs for thermal energy storage in gypsum walls. Our synthesis results on the basis of suspension like polymerization process show good encapsulation efficiency with proper thermal energy storage capacity in gypsum walls.