Preparation and thermal properties of polystyrene nanoparticles containing phase change materials as thermal storage medium

Polystyrene (PS) particles containing the phase change material (PCM) were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The polymer particles prepared with different parameters were investigated in terms of average particle size, particle distribution, and latent heat storage of encapsulated paraffin wax (PW) as PCM. The morphology and particle features of PS particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer, respectively. As a result, the diameters of PS particles were adjusted with manufacturing conditions. The stable and spherical PS particles of nanosize were obtained by miniemulsion polymerization, which could be attributed to the prevention of Ostwald ripening by cosurfactant. Thermal properties of PS particle containing PCM were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. From DSC freeze-thaw cycle, PCM coated with PS exhibited the thermal energy storage and release behaviors, and the latent heat was found to be a maximum 145 J/g. It was noted that PS particles containing PCM showed a good potential as a thermal energy storage medium.