Design and fabrication of reversible thermochromic microencapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage and its antibacterial activity

In this study, a series of reversible thermochromic microencapsulated phase change materials (TC-MPCMs), exhibiting excellent thermal energy storage performance, were designed and fabricated successfully. The core of TC-MPCMs was comprised of crystal violet lactone employed as thermochromic colorant, bisphenol A as developer and 1-tetradecanol as co-solvent, respectively. The effects of shell materials on reversible thermochromic properties, thermal performance and thermal stability of TC-MPCMs were investigated systematically as well. These influencing factors of encapsulation process such as the dripping speeds, SMA emulsifier and pH were carried out to optimize the encapsulation parameters. Additionally, the TC-MPCMs modified with fabricated silver nano-particles displayed excellent thermal properties, heat transfer and antibacterial activity. Both the microscopic morphology and microstructure of TC-MPCMs were characterized and discussed systematically. The thermal distribution on the TC-MPCMs was exhibited via the infrared camera. The performance of fusion, crystallization, enthalpy and thermal stability of various capsules were measured and studied as well. In the end, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry was employed to investigate the antibacterial activity of Ag-TC-MPCMs(B). Furthermore, the TC-MPCMs(B) and Ag-TC-MPCMs(B) exhibited excellent thermal stability and the cyclic durability. Reversible thermochromic microencapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage and its antibacterial activity. [Display omitted] •Reversible thermochromic microencapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage.•The real-time thermochromic function is related to the phase change process inside capsules.•Antibacterial activity of microcapsules covered with silver nano-particles was studied.•Optimal thermal stability and the cyclic durability of microcapsules.