Phase change fabrics based on paraffin@SiO2@Ag microcapsules for temperature response and thermoregulation

By intelligently modulating the thermal energy exchange between the skin and the environment, phase change fabrics are important for improving the thermal comfort of the wearer, saving energy, and expanding the functionality of smart textiles. In this study, paraffin@SiO2@Ag phase change microcapsules (Ms) were tightly encapsulated in calcium alginate (CA) matrix using wet spinning process. CA/Ms phase change composite fibers with different mass ratios were designed. When the CA/Ms mass ratio was 1:1, the CA/Ms phase change enthalpy Delta Hm was 64.3 J/g, and the maximum tensile strength was 1.27 MPa, along with excellent thermal stability and photothermal conversion efficiency. In addition, the introduction of different contents of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into CA/Ms could improve the thermal conductivity and photothermal conversion efficiency. When the cont1ent of CNTs was 10 phr, the thermal conductivity of CA/Ms/CNTs (CMC) was increased by 159 %. Therefore, these phase change composite fibers with excellent photothermal efficiency offer new possibilities for the exploitation of smart fabrics and are anticipated to have a significant role in the area of smart textiles.