Fateme Irani, Z. Ranjbar, S. Moradian
Dec 1, 2017
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Journal
Progress in Organic Coatings
Abstract
Abstract In this study, n -heptadecane as a phase change material was microencapsulated with a starch wall for thermal energy storage applications. The effect of encapsulation parameters including mixing rate, reaction time, starch to n -heptadecane mass ratio and starch to water mass ratio were investigated on the microcapsule properties. The chemical compositions of the prepared microcapsules were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the spherical microcapsules with a rough and intact shell were formed. The particle size analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to study the microcapsule structural properties and to explain the microencapsulation mechanism. The mechanism of the microencapsulation involved a multi-stage adsorption of starch components started with the migration of the amylose-lipid complexes onto the n -heptadecane droplets. The microencapsulated n -heptadecane with the starch wall had high melting and solidifying enthalpies and a proper thermal reliability, according to the results of differential scanning calorimetry. The prepared microcapsules can be used in different matrices, such as surface coatings, sheets, and liquid media.