Promising palmitic acid/poly(allyl methacrylate) microcapsules for thermal management applications

This study aimed to develop a promising thermal energy storage material based on poly(allyl methacrylate (AMA))-based palmitic acid (PA) microencapsulation using emulsion polymerization. Poly(AMA) and PA were chosen as the capsule shell and core materials, respectively. The synthesized microcapsules exhibited a good latent heat storage capacity of 143–188 J/g. This study also aimed to evaluate the effect of the core material ratio of the microcapsules on the thermal, structural, and chemical properties of PA microcapsules. To determine the thermal performance of the prepared microcapsules, mortar-based composite materials containing PA microcapsules were prepared at a ratio of 90/10 (wt% mortar/micro phase change material) and analyzed during heating and cooling using infrared techniques. The analysis showed that the temperature of the composite materials containing PA microcapsules was 6.6 °C lower than that of the reference composite after 60 min of heating. This indicates that mortar composites containing PA microcapsules are less affected by heating and cooling and can therefore be applied as promising energy storage materials for thermal management applications, particularly in buildings. •Poly (allyl methacrylate) based palmitic acid (PA) microcapsules were prepared.•Influence of the core material ratio on properties of microcapsules were compared.•The mortar composite materials containing PA microcapsules was prepared.•PA microcapsules exhibit significant potential as thermal energy storage materials.•PA microcapsules can be used in high-temperature applications in buildings.