Fully bio-based Poly (Glycerol-Itaconic acid) as supporter for PEG based form stable phase change materials

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fully bio-based Poly (Glycerol-Itaconic acid) support for PEG phase change materials, enabling stable, efficient, and eco-friendly thermal energy storage with tunable properties.

Contribution

The study presents a novel bio-based support material for PEG PCMs, demonstrating high stability, adjustable phase change properties, and a scalable, environmentally friendly synthesis process.

Findings

Achieved high form stability and phase change enthalpies in bio-based PCMs.

PEG encapsulation tightly bonded via hydrogen bonds with PGI.

Tunable phase change temperatures by adjusting PEG content and molecular weight.

Abstract

A novel fully bio-based Poly (Glycerol-Itaconic acid) (PGI) was designed and highly efficiently synthesized by solvent-free polycondensation. The Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used as the phase change materials (PCM) working substance and encapsulated by the sustainable PGI supporter. PEG chains were tightly encapsulated with the PGI supporting material mainly under hydrogen bonds due to the structural compatibility between PGI and PEG. The PCMs can achieve high form stability and high phase change enthalpies in the same kinds of PCMs. Furthermore, the phase change temperatures and enthalpies of the PCMs can be adjusted conveniently by regulating the PEG content and molecular weight. Notably, this process extremely facilitates the realization of efficient mass production due to the eco-friendly nature, high efficiency and low cost.