Title
Designing bioshelled microcapsules to produce fabric with reversible color-changing,thermoregulation and antibacterial properties
Authors
SENA DEMIRBAĞ GENÇ, MÜYESSER SELDA TÖZÜM and SENNUR ALAY AKSOY

Received September 23, 2024
Published Volume 59 Issue 1-2 January-February
Keywords chitosan, sodium alginate, thermochromic, complex coacervation, antibacterial

Abstract
This study presents the development of nontoxic thermochromic phase change microcapsules (TPCMs) using a complex coacervation technique. The shell materials of the microcapsules are chitosan and sodium alginate natural polymers. The microencapsulation technique employed in this study has the advantage of using natural, nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable capsule materials. In addition, the method is both simple and versatile, making it applicable to various industries. The microcapsules exhibited spherical morphology and a high latent heat of 129.6 J/g. Furthermore, the microcapsules demonstrated good thermal stability and excellent thermochromic performance. Microcapsule-treated fabric exhibited thermochromic and antibacterial activity. The air and water vapor permeability of the microcapsule treated fabric was lower than that of the untreated fabric. However, the application of microcapsules did not have any effect on the bending rigidity and tear strength of the fabric. Therefore, the produced microcapsules show promise for various applications, including medical textiles, wearable sensors and various consumer goods.