Modification of Hollow Expanded Microspheres with Superior Thermal Insulation Properties and Their Applications
Tiantian Zhao, Heng Yang, Xiaohua Xu, Guangtao Chang, Ruoxin Li
Abstract
Thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) are hollow polymeric particles in which a blowing gas has been encapsulated. This property makes them excellent for thermal insulation applications, such as lightweight fillers. This study has developed a viable technology for further improving thermal insulation properties in the field that needs excellent thermal insulation of textile fabrics. The ATO/TEMs composites were designed and prepared to reduce sunlight radiation by the charge gravity method. The test results showed that the ATO-coated TEMs effectively block thermal radiation from sunlight. The temperature difference between ATO/TEMs treated cotton and the uncoated cotton fabric was 9 °C, and the thermal conductivity coatings were 0.0432 W/m⋅K. The UPF value of ATO/TEMs (ILs) coated cotton fabric is 440, significantly higher than pure cotton. This approach can provide insight into the design of high-performance solar insulation composite structures.