A novel polyamide-paraffin microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) was prepared by interfacial polymerization technique using 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl chloride (TMC) and ethylenediamine as monomers and 30# paraffin as core material. Morphology, chemical composition, thermal properties of the MEPCM were studied by scanning electron micrograph, FT-IR spectrum, differential scanning calorimeter analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The solvent resistances of the MEPCM were also studied by observing the morphology changes of the MEPCM under optical microscope. Results indicate that the MEPCMs prepared under optimal conditions have spherical shape with average diameter of 6.4 mu m, and the polyamide shell has successfully packaged the paraffin core. The MEPCM has a high efficiency in storing and releasing heat. The latent heat is 121.7 J/g and the microencapsulation ratio is 87%, 5% weight loss temperature is 260 degrees C. The MEPCM is stable in H2SO4 solution (omega = 0.98), NaOH solution (omega = 0.40), ethanol, acetone, ether, dimethylformamide while can be destroyed by ZnCl2 solution (omega = 0.60). (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci, 2013