Integrating Phase Change Materials Into Cotton Ring Spun Yarn Structure for Thermoregulating Function

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been incorporated into textiles to provide thermoregulation and temperature buffering effects on the human body. From this point of view, the aim of this study was to develop the phase change material (PCM) incorporated into the yarns for the production of textiles with a thermo-regulating function. In the study, two types of capsules poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (P(MMA-co-MAA)) walled and 1-tetradecanol core, and gelatin-gum Arabic walled and n-octadecane core were synthesized and applied to cotton textile fibers using an alternative application method developed by the authors. PCM dispersion with 6% concentration was incorporated into cotton ring spun yarns at 62.5 and 80 mL/h feeding rates. Morphological and thermal properties of the capsules and spun yarns were investigated. Thermoregulation properties of fabricated yarns were detailed evaluated by segmenting thermal history (T-history) curves into four phases and logarithmic and linear trendlines were applied to the temperature change data for unloaded and PCM incorporated yarns. Data including temperature range (°C), R² (coefficient of determination or regression factor), rate coefficient (a) and duration of phase (s) were analyzed for both capsule types and feeding rate values. The results indicated that PCM capsules with ideal spherical morphology and enough energy storage capacity were successfully applied into the cotton fibers. All cotton yarns with PCM additives exhibited lower surface temperature values greater than 2°C which is considered sufficient for the thermoregulation effect although with some distinct variations in their temperature profiles and rate coefficients. Compared to untreated cotton ring spun yarn, the temperature difference for 1-tetradecanol core@P(MMA-co-MAA) walled capsules was found to be around 4.29°C–4.56°C, whereas it was around 8.2°C–9°C for n-octadecane core@gelatin-gum Arabic walled capsules. With respect to all the results, obtained novel heat storage cotton yarn is a promising material for thermal energy storage and desirable thermal comfort applications.