Development of capsulated phase change material for increasing energy efficiency in buildings

The aim of this study is to develop microencapsulated phase change materials (mPCM) to be used along with the building materials in order to increase energy efficiency in buildings. Firstly phase change materials suitable for building comfort temperatures were investigated and fatty acid mixtures selected for microencapsulation were 75% Capric acid(CA)-25% Myristic acid(MA) mixture (ΔH:155,6 J/g, Tm:26,5°C) and 70%Capric acid(CA)-30%Lauric acid(LA) (ΔH:131,6 J/g, Tm: 21,6 °C). Coacervation and emulsion polymerization methods were used to encapsulate. 50 microcapsule experiments were carried out and DSC, SEM, FTIR analysis and heating-cooling curves were done for the mPCMs. Entalpy values of 13 microcapsule samples were determined as higher than 70 J/g. Two mPCM candidates with the best thermal and mechanical properties with the codes D11 (PCM: 75% CA– 25% MA mixture, Shell material: Polymethylmetacrylate, Tm range: 24,1-28,1°C, ΔH=97,6 J/g) and D38 (PCM: 75% CA– 25% MA mixture, Shell material: Polystyrene, Tm range: 17,2-25,4 °C, ΔH=86,5 J/g ) were selected. SEM analyzes were performed to determine the structural suitability of mPCMs.