"Preparation of Low-temperature Microencapsulated Phase Change Material" by Feng Ma, Jiasheng Dai et al.
 

Abstract

Organic eutectic phase change materials (PCMs) hold significant promise as thermal storage agents for regulating the temperature of asphalt pavements. This study aims to evaluate the properties of low-temperature microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs) and their effect on modifying virgin asphalt. Three types of binary eutectic MPCMs were prepared, with tetradecane eutectically mixed with lauric, capric, and myristic acids, forming the composite core of the MPCMs. Melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin was used as the wall material. The properties of the MPCMs were characterized through thermophysical and thermal stability analyses, micro-morphology observation, infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical strength tests. The preferred microcapsules were then blended into virgin asphalt at dosages of 3 %, 5 %, 7 %, and 9 %, and the thermal properties, thermoregulation capability, and rheological properties of the MPCM-modified asphalt were evaluated. The results indicated that the MPCMs had a spherical structure with particle sizes ranging from 20 µm to 250 µm, and the wall and core materials physically formed the microcapsules. Among them, 1# MPCM exhibited the highest enthalpy and excellent thermal stability. Additionally, the superior mechanical properties of 1# MPCM minimized breakage during the asphalt mixing process. Moreover, the MPCM-modified asphalt demonstrated a significant thermal hysteresis effect during temperature increases, with a maximum temperature difference of 5.9 °C compared to virgin asphalt. The leakage of MPCMs following phase change results in reduced stiffness of the MPCM-modified asphalt at high temperatures, impacting its thermal stability. However, the inclusion of MPCMs substantially decreases the asphalt's temperature susceptibility, improving its adaptability across different temperature conditions and notably enhancing crack resistance in low-temperature environments.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Comments

National Key Research and Development Program of China, Grant 2023YFB2604600

Keywords and Phrases

Microencapsulated phase change materials; Modified asphalt; Rheological properties; Temperature regulation; Thermal performance

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0950-0618

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

10 Jan 2025

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