Melt-processable acrylonitrile–methyl acrylate copolymers and melt-spun fibers containing MicroPCMs

Acrylonitrile–methyl acrylate (AN–MA molar ratio 85/15) copolymer and copolymers containing 5–25 wt% of microencapsulated phase change materials (MicroPCMs) were synthesized by aqueous redox initiated polymerization. MicroPCMs were incorporated into the copolymer at the step of polymerization. The copolymers were processed by environment friendly, solvent-free melt-spinning. The structures and properties of the copolymers and as-spun fibers containing MicroPCMs were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Melting Index (MI). The results show that the composition of AN–MA copolymer agrees well with the feeding ratio of AN and MA. The copolymers containing MicroPCMs can be processed at 200 °C. The crystalline enthalpies of the fibers containing 20 and 25 wt% of MicroPCMs are 21 and 25 J/g, respectively; and they increase steadily as the contents of MicroPCMs increase. Tensile strengths of the as-spun fibers are in the range of 1.0–3.2 cN/dtex. The fibers are potentially used as raw materials to fabricate thermo-regulated fabric for comfort clothing.