Biobased Polymer Coatings for Thermal Regulation Powered by Encapsulation of Phase Change Materials

This thesis investigates the development of bio-based thermal regulation coatings through Phase Change Material (PCM) encapsulation. n-Hexadecane was encapsulated within polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shells, comparing solvent evaporation and solution polymerization techniques. The resulting nanostructures were integrated into a PVA/CMC matrix to produce functional composite films. Characterization confirmed successful core-shell formation and thermal reversibility. The different synthesis methods resulted in high encapsulation efficiencies and distinct thermal profiles. Thermal chamber tests validated the coatings' ability to dampen temperature fluctuations, offering sustainable solutions for building energy efficiency.