Fabrication and characterization of microencapsulated dimethyl adipate phase change material with melamine-formaldehyde shell for cold thermal energy storage in coating

Abstract Microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) was synthesized by using the in-situ polymerization technique. Dimethyl adipate (DMA) and melamine-formaldehyde were used as core and shell material for polymerization respectively. Sodium laureate sulphate (SLS) is used as a surfactant. The thermal properties were characterized by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to confirm the chemical structure. The morphology of microcapsules was studied by using, scanning electron microscopy. DSC result of MPCM has been observed to melt at 10.09 °C with melting latent enthalpy 88 J/g and crystallizes at 4.69 °C with crystallization latent heat 89.50 J/g. TGA analysis confirms increases in the thermal stability of MPCM. The decorative coating was prepared with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 % MPCM loading, and the prepared paint was tested for pencil hardness, gloss, and stain resistances. The thermal energy transfer rate was used to measure how much time coated panel took to reach the equilibrium temperature of 25 °C. Coating with 20 % MPCM loading revealed good thermal storage capacity but other general coating properties deteriorate.