Abstract:

In order to solve problems of easy breakage and low heat transfer efficiency when phase change microcapsules (microPCMs) were prepared for heat-storage and thermo-regulated textile, MicroPCMs were prepared based on noctadecane core and melamine-urea-formaldehyde shell with O2 plasma modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by in-situ polymerization. The influene of addition modified CNTs on mechanical and thermal properties of microPCMs were investigated. MicroPCMs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal constant analyzer. SEM images show that the microPCMs with CNTs are spherical and have relatively smooth surface. The results indicated that the mechanical and thermal properties of microPCMs can be remarkably improved by addition of moderate modified CNTs. Especially, when 2% of modified CNTs are added, the elasticity modulus and thermal conductivity of microPCMs are improved by 190% and 187%, respectively; and the heat enthalpy and encapsulated efficiency of microPCMs still can reach 224.4 J/g and 74.07%. Addition of modified CNTs into microPCMs is beneficial to enhance mechanical and thermal properties of microPCMs and facilitate temperature regulating performance of heat-storage and thermo-regulated textiles.

Key words: carbon nanotube, plasma treatment, phase change microcapaule, heat-storage and temperature-regulating textiles