Preparation and study of n-Tridecane@Silica low-temperature Nano-Encapsulated phase change microcapsules

Abstract

Phase change cold storage technology and using nanoparticles to create superhydrophobic surfaces for frost suppression contribute to energy savings in cold chain transportation processes. A series of low-temperature nano-encapsulated phase change microcapsules with different core–shell ratios were prepared using in-situ polymerization method. The shell of the nano-capsules was silica derived from the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), while the core material was n-tridecane. The characterization results of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) confirm the successful encapsulation of n-tridecane within the silica shell. The SEM image shows that the microcapsules are spherical and exhibit a nanometer-scale particle size. DSC testing shows that the phase change nano-capsules prepared with n-tridecane as the phase change material have two phase change peaks. When the core–shell ratio is 1:1, the latent heat of melting and freezing reaches 124.46 J·g⁻¹, with an encapsulation efficiency of 69.79 %. TGA results demonstrate enhanced stability of phase change materials due to silica encapsulation. After 500 phase change cycles, the latent heat of the nano-capsules exhibits negligible changes, demonstrating robust thermal reliability. Low-temperature nano-encapsulated phase change microcapsules show promising potential in surface applications for cold chain logistics buildings, energy storage, and the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces.