Preparation and Properties of Thermoregulated Seaweed Fibers Based on Magnetic Paraffin wax@calcium Carbonate Microcapsules

Abstract

In order to enhance the application of thermoregulated materials, magnetic phase change microcapsules were prepared using a self-assembly method. Paraffin wax was chosen for its fine thermoregulation properties as the core material, while Fe3O4 nanoparticles doped in calcium carbonate served as the hybrid shell material. The microcapsules were then blended with sodium alginate and processed into seaweed fibers through wet spinning. The microstructure, thermal, and magnetic properties of the microcapsules were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, a laser particle size analyzer, an X-ray diffractometer, a differential scanning calorimeter, a thermogravimetric analyzer, and a vibrating sample magnetometer. The thermoregulation of the fibers was evaluated using a thermal infrared imager. The results indicated that the microcapsules had a uniform size distribution and good thermal properties. When the mass fraction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was 8%, the microcapsules exhibited a saturation magnetization of 2.44 emu/g and an enthalpy value of 94.25 J/g, indicating effective phase change and magnetic properties. Furthermore, the thermoregulated seaweed fibers showed a high enthalpy value of 19.8 J/g with fine shape, offering potential for developing multifunctional fiber products.