Microencapsulated n-Octadecane with styrene-divinybenzene co-polymer shells

Microcapsules containing n-Octadecane using styrene (St)-divinybenzene (DVB) co-polymer shells were synthesized by suspension-like polymerization. The effects of stirring rates and monomers/n-Octadecane mass ratios on the average diameter and phase change properties of microencapsulated n-Octadecane (MicroC18) were investigated. The surface morphology, diameters, phase change properties and thermal decomposition temperature of MicroC18 were investigated by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The average diameters of MicroC18 decreased with an increase of stirring rate. When the monomers/n-Octadecane mass ratio of 1:1 is used, the enthalpy of MicroC18 reaches the highest-126 J/g. Surfaces of majority of MicroC18 show large concaves because of the production of reserved expansion space in the process of micro-encapsulation. The thermal decomposition temperature of MicroC18 is about 230 °C which is higher than that of MicroC18 using melamine-formaldehyde shell.