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Highly Efficient NIR-Reflective CrAl2O4‑Based Polymer Microcapsules for Advanced Thermal Management Coatings.
Jittipat Omsinsombon1, Amorn Chaiyasat1,2, Chumphol Busabok3
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand.
ACS Omega
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Novel chromium aluminum oxide (CrAl2O4) particles were encapsulated into polymer microcapsules. These microcapsules effectively reflect near-infrared (NIR) light, significantly reducing surface temperatures for energy-efficient coatings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR)-reflective materials are crucial for mitigating solar heat gain in various applications.
- Developing efficient NIR-reflective pigments that are compatible with polymer matrices is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chromium aluminum oxide (CrAl2O4) spinel particles as a novel NIR-reflective pigment.
- To develop polymer microcapsules containing CrAl2O4 particles for enhanced NIR reflectance and coating performance.
- To evaluate the impact of monomer composition and pigment loading on microcapsule properties and coating effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of CrAl2O4 particles.
- Surface modification of CrAl2O4 particles with 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS).
- Encapsulation of MPS-CrAl2O4 particles into polymer microcapsules via UV-initiated microsuspension polymerization.
- Analysis of microcapsule morphology, thermal behavior, NIR reflectance, and coating performance.
Main Results:
- CrAl2O4 particles exhibited high NIR reflectance.
- MPS modification improved particle dispersion in the polymer matrix.
- Microcapsules with a MMA:BA:EGDMA ratio of 50:40:10 showed good stability and spherical morphology.
- NIR reflectance reached 87% with 40 wt% MPS-CrAl2O4 loading.
- Coatings demonstrated a significant reduction in interior temperature (up to 16 °C).
Conclusions:
- Polymer-encapsulated CrAl2O4 particles retain excellent NIR-reflective properties.
- The developed microcapsules offer a viable solution for creating energy-efficient coatings with reduced solar heat gain.
- The encapsulation strategy enhances pigment compatibility and performance in coating applications.
