Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
Published on: March 2, 2020
Preparation and Characterization of Inorganic PCM Microcapsules by Fluidized Bed Method
Svetlana Ushak1,2, M Judith Cruz3, Luisa F Cabeza4
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing and Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals (CELiMIN), University of Antofagasta, Av. Universidad de Antofagasta 02800, Campus Coloso, Antofagasta 127300, Chile. svetlana.ushak@uantof.cl.
Abstract:
The literature shows that inorganic phase change materials (PCM) have been very seldom microencapsulated, so this study aims to contribute to filling this research gap. Bischofite, a by-product from the non-metallic industry identified as having good potential to be used as inorganic PCM, was microencapsulated by means of a fluidized bed method with acrylic as polymer and chloroform as solvent, after compatibility studies of both several solvents and several polymers. The formation of bischofite and pure MgCl₂·6H₂O microcapsules was investigated and analyzed. Results showed an efficiency in microencapsulation of 95% could be achieved when using 2 min of fluidization time and 2 kg/h of atomization flow. The final microcapsules had excellent melting temperatures and enthalpy compared to the original PCM, 104.6 °C and 95 J/g for bischofite, and 95.3 and 118.3 for MgCl₂·6H₂O.
