POS4-1526
Temperature-Responsive Morphological Evolution and Viscoelastic Transition of Wax-Based Phase Change Microparticles
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Hae Jung SON
Boseok KANG
Presenter(s)
Yujin Jeong (Konkuk University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Phase change materials (PCMs) are latent heat storage materials that absorb and release thermal energy through phase transitions within a specific temperature range. They have been investigated as thermal regulation materials across various fields, including agriculture, cosmetics, biomedicine, and pharmaceutics, owing to their thermal energy storage and release capabilities and temperature-regulating properties. In particular, PCMs that undergo changes in physical properties depending on temperature have potential as temperature-responsive smart systems for the controlled release of active ingredients from their matrices. In this study, wax-based PCM microparticles (MPs) with diameters of approximately 1-2 μm were fabricated under different temperature conditions (30, 40, and 50 °C), and their temperature-responsive morphological evolution and rheological properties were investigated. As the processing temperature increased from 30 °C to 50 °C, the morphology of the PCM MPs transformed from anisotropic to isotropic structures. This temperature-dependent shape evolution was attributed to the combined effects of reduced viscosity, changes in interfacial tension, and solidification behavior. In addition, their viscosity and viscoelastic moduli, determined by rheological characterization, decreased with increasing temperature, indicating temperature-responsive viscoelastic behavior. These results suggest that wax-based PCM MPs can serve as functional materials in cosmetic and pharmaceutical delivery systems requiring temperature-responsive behavior.
