Multifunctional phase change composites with improved leakage‐proof and mechanical properties for thermal regulation and gamma radiation shielding

In this study, a type of flexible silicone rubber/paraffin wax@lead tungstate@polydopamine (SR/PW@PbWO4@PDA) phase change composites with gamma radiation shielding was prepared. By oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) on the surface of PW@PbWO4 microcapsules, the double-shelled PW@PbWO4@PDA phase change microcapsules were fabricated. PW@PbWO4@PDA microcapsules show good leakage-proof performance through double protection of PbWO4 shell and PDA layer, and the optimum leakage rate decreased by 52.08% compared to PW@PbWO4 microcapsules. Due to the enhanced interface compatibility between PW@PbWO4@PDA microcapsules and SR matrix through the PDA layer, SR/PW@PbWO4@PDA composites display enhanced mechanical strength with tensile strength as high as 0.657 MPa. SR/PW@PbWO4@PDA composites exhibit excellent thermal cycle stability and superior thermal storage capacity over 45 J/g. Meanwhile, the mass attenuation coefficients of SR/PW@PbWO4@PDA composites reach 1.54 at 86.5 keV and 1.72 at 105.3 keV, respectively, indicating good gamma radiation shielding properties. The new type of multifunctional SR/PW@PbWO4@PDA composite has demonstrated potential application in wearable gamma radiation protection devices with thermal regulation.