Properties of n-eicosane-loaded silk fibroin-chitosan microcapsules

Abstract

PCM microcapsules containing n-eicosane were prepared by complex coacervation of silk fibroin (SF) and chitosan (CHI). Chemical characterization of microcapsules was carried out using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Thermal properties and thermal stability of microencapsulated n-eicosane were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR spectra confirmed the encapsulation of n-eicosane within the microcapsules. Results from thermal analyses showed that microcapsules consisted of an average of 45.7 wt % n-eicosane, and had a thermal energy storage and release capacity of about 93.04 J/g and 89.68 J/g, respectively.