Micro/nano-encapsulated n-heptadecane with polystyrene shell for latent heat thermal energy storage

This study is focused on the preparation, characterization and determination of latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) properties of polystyrene (PS)/n-heptadecane micro/nano-capsules as a novel encapsulated phase change material (EPCM). The micro/nano-EPCM was synthesized via emulsion polymerization method and characterized chemically using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The surface morphology and particle size of the micro/nano-capsules were investigated by particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the melting temperature and latent heat of the prepared EPCM were measured as 21.48°C and 136.89J/g, respectively. The results of thermogravimetric (TG) analysis showed that the fabricated micro/nano-EPCM had good thermal durability. Thermal reliability, chemical stability, thermal conductivity and phase change reversibility of the micro/nano-EPCM were also studied. All of the results revealed that the fabricated PS/n-heptadecane micro/nano-capsules had promising LHTES potential especially for passive solar thermal regulation of textile, building, food storage container, medical and electronic materials.