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Development of thermo-regulating fabrics using PCM microcapsules with poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) shell and n-alkane core

Ruhan Altun-Anayurt (Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Çankırı Karatekin University, Çankırı, Turkey)
Sennur Alay-Aksoy (Department of Textile Engineering, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey)
Cemil Alkan (Department of Chemistry, Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey)
Sena Demirbag (Department of Textile Engineering, Uşak University, Uşak, Turkey)
M. Selda Tözüm (Department of Textile Engineering, Uşak University, Uşak, Turkey)

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology

ISSN: 0955-6222

Article publication date: 19 November 2018

Issue publication date: 18 February 2019

458

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) and apply them to cotton and wool fabrics for developing thermo-regulating fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Microencapsulated n-hexadecane and n-octadecane with poly(methylmethacrylate-co-2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) shell was prepared. Microcapsules were fabricated using oil-in-water emulsion polymerization method. Their chemical structure, microstructure, thermal energy storage properties and thermal stability were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, polarized light microscope, differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analyzer, respectively. The mean particle size was tested by a particle sized instrument. The microcapsules were applied to the wool and cotton fabrics using pad-dry-cure method. The thermo-regulating property of the fabrics was evaluated using the T-History test. The distribution and durability of the microcapsules on the fabrics was investigated with scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

Spherical microcapsules with p(MMA-co-HEMA) shell and n-alkane core have been produced successfully. n-hexadecane in microcapsule solidifies at 14.8−15.6°C with the latent heat of 65.6−129.8 J/g and melts at 16.7−16.9°C with the latent heat of 67.6−136.9 J/g. Microencapsulated n-octadecane solidifies at 25.8−26.3°C with the latent heat of 74.1−106.2 J/g and melts at 26.8−27.4°C with the latent heat of 80.3−113.4 J/g. The microcapsules have enough thermal stability to the temperature of 150°C that was applied during the fixation of microcapsules on the fabric. The thermo-regulating effect of the microcapsule-incorporated fabrics has been proved by the T-history test.

Originality/value

PCM microcapsules with p(MMA-co-HEMA) shell and n-hexadecane and n-octadecane core have been produced and their usage to produce thermo-regulating textiles have been proved. To determine the thermo-regulating property of the fabrics treated with these new PCM microcapsules, a T-History system has been designed.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (Project No. 111M484).

Citation

Altun-Anayurt, R., Alay-Aksoy, S., Alkan, C., Demirbag, S. and Tözüm, M.S. (2019), "Development of thermo-regulating fabrics using PCM microcapsules with poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) shell and n-alkane core", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 65-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-09-2017-0145

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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