Fabrication and Properties of Microencapsulated n-octadecane and Paraffin

Microencapsulated n-alkanes as energy- storage materials have promising application prospects. The ndcrocapsules containing 100 - 50 wt% of n - octadecane, 0 -20 wt% of paraffin and 0 - 30 wt% of cyclohexane were synthesized by in-situ polymerization using melamine- formaldehyde polymer as shell. Cyclohexane was removed after heat-treated the microcapsules at 100℃. The morphologies, cell parameters, phase change properties, thermal stable temperatures of these microcapsules were examined. The diameters of these microcapsules are lower than 5 μm. The effect of paraffin in the microcapsules on the cell parameters of n-octadecane is negligible. The paraff＇m is effectively used as a nucleating agent to decrease the degree of supercooling. The melting enthalpy is decreased from 132 J/g to 111 J/g due to the increase of the cyclohexane contents. The thermal stable temperature is enhanced 6 - 16℃ after heat-treated the microcapsules at 160℃ for 30 min.