Effects of boron nitride on the thermal properties of melamine–urea–formaldehyde/paraffin microcapsules for thermal management

This study aims to explore Pickering emulsion stabilized by hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) mixed with styrene/maleic anhydride and fabricate melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF)/paraffin microcapsules for thermal management applications. The particle size distribution and morphology of h-BN were observed, respectively, by a laser-diffraction particle size analyzer and a transmission electron microscope. Field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and thermogravimetric analyzer were applied to determine the morphologies, crystallography, chemical components, phase change properties, and thermal stability of MUF/paraffin microcapsules with different h-BN dosages. It was found that the h-BN dosage of 0.05 g achieved the encapsulation ratio of 58.08%, melting enthalpy of 107.90 J/g, and crystallization enthalpy of 107.70 J/g. When the MUF/paraffin microcapsules were applied in calcium sulfate dehydrate (CS), CS/MicroC01 demonstrated high potential in thermal management of buildings.