Preparation and performance improvement of poly-pyrrole modified yeast phase change microcapsules for photothermal energy conversion and storage

In order to further enhance the functionality of microcapsules, polypyrrole layer was formed on the surface of yeast phase change microcapsules (YPs). The effects of three kinds of surfactants (Span80, SDBS, SDS) with different hydrophile and lipophile balance values (HLB) on the synthesis of polypyrrole are analyzed. The morphology and properties of polypyrrole modified yeast phase change microcapsules (PYPs) were studied by SEM, DSC, FT-IR and other test methods. The results show that the modification with polypyrrole can make YPs possess both heat storage capacity and good electrical conductivity. At the same time, it improves the leak resistance of phase change materials. When the SDS with the largest HLB value acts as the surfactant and the mole ratio of pyrrole to SDS is 2:1, the synthesized polypyrrole shows a membrane-like connection, and the prepared PYPs has the lowest resistivity, good heat storage capacity, thermal conductivity and photo-thermal conversion ability. It shows great potential for application in the field of photothermal conversion and storage.