Preparation and performance of magnetic phase change microcapsules with organic-inorganic double shell

Magnetic microcapsulated phase change materials can achieve rapid magnetic localization temperature regulation and magnetic separation recycling. However, the efficient encapsulation of both inorganic magnetic material and organic phase change material is a challenge due to their poor compatibility. In this work, an aqueous dispersion containing methylol melamine and sodium alginate loaded with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (SA-Fe3O4) was prepared and mixed with a paraffin emulsion. After methylol melamine was initiated to in-situ polymerize at the interface of the paraffin emulsion droplets, primary magnetic phase change microcapsules (P-MPCM) composed of a paraffin core and SA-Fe3O4/melamine formaldehyde resin composite shell were formed. Then, SiO2 sol particles were adsorbed on the surface of P-MPCM to form the final MPCM with a polymer-SiO2 double-shell (PS-MPCM). The magnetic polymer-SiO2 double-shell endows the PS-MPCM with rapid magnetic responsiveness (can be quickly collected under magnetic fields), high phase change enthalpy (184.4 J·g-1) and excellent structural stability. The phase change enthalpy and saturation magnetization of PS-MPCM have changed little after 200 thermal cycles. At the same time, the excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (93.9%) of PS-MPCM benefits for solar energy conversion utilization in actual application. This work provides a new way to obtain MPCM with high thermal conductivity (0.64 W·m-1·K-1), rapid magnetic response and excellent reusability, which can be potentially applied for directional temperature regulation.