0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Sign in to save

Preparation and Characterization of Degradable Lactic-Acid-Based Phase Change Microcapsules.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids 2026

Summary

Researchers formulated degradable phase change microcapsules using a polylactic acid-modified wall material, finding that a 4:1 core-to-shell ratio produced uniform particles with a melting enthalpy of 171.9 J/g and measurable biodegradability — offering a more environmentally benign alternative to conventional non-degradable phase change microplastics.

Polymers

Phase change microcapsules have a wide range of applications, but as a type of microplastic, they pose a certain environmental pollution risk. In this article, we prepared degradable lactic-acid-based phase change microcapsules by using PLA diol (PLA-500)-modified IPDI and BDO as wall materials and -octadecane as the core material via an interfacial polymerization method. The optimal process conditions for microcapsule preparation were explored through experiments. The results showed that at a core/shell ratio of 4:1, the prepared microcapsules exhibit good morphology, uniform particle size distribution, and high phase change thermal storage capacity, with a melting enthalpy of 171.9 J/g. The lactic-acid-based phase change microcapsules had a certain degradation capacity.

Share this paper