Abstract:

Microcapsules containing n-octadecane were synthesized using a methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid co-polymeric shell with 1,4-butylene glycol diacrylate (BDDA) as a cross-linking agent. The surface morphologies, thermal physical properties, and thermal stabilities of the microencapsulated n-octadecane(MC18) were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Experimental results showed that by increasing the mass ratio of monomer/core or the monomer concentration, the surfaces become more compact and the shell thickness increase. The thermal stability of MC18 can be improved by adding a cross-linking agent and the surface becomes much more compact and smoother by increasing the feed of the cross-linking agent BDDA. The thermal resistance temperature of MC18 improves obviously. As the mass ratio of monomer/core increases, the enthalpy of MC18 decreases and the encapsulation rate is lower.

Key words: Microcapsule, Acrylic acid, n-Octadecane, Thermal stability, Cross-linking agent