Preparation and characterization of cross-linked polyurethane shell microencapsulated phase change materials by interfacial polymerization

Abstract A new cross-linked shell microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) were prepared by interfacial polymerization, and butyl stearate and polyurethane was empolyed as core material and shell material respectively, while polyurethane shell was reacted by isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), diethylene triamine (DETA) and pentaerythritol. The surface morphology, chemical structure, phase change properties and thermal stability of MEPCMs were investigated by SEM, FTIR, DSC and TGA. The results show that the prepared microcapsules are sphere with smooth and compact surface, and have good thermal storage properties. When pentaerythritol was employed, the thermal stability and compactness of the cross-linked polyurethane shell MEPCMs has been greatly improved compared to that of linear polyurea shell MEPCMs. When the continuous drying time point is at 120 °C for 5 h, the weight loss of cross-linked MEPCMs was only 4.65%.