Preparation of poly(decaglycerol-co-ethylene glycol) copolymer as phase change material

In this work, a novel phase change material poly(decaglycerol-co-ethylene glycol) [P(DG-co-EG)] copolymer was prepared by free-radical solution polymerization based on two macromonomers, polyethylene glycol acrylate (PEGA) and polydecaglycerol acrylate (PDGA), which were synthesized via acryloyl chloride modification. The results showed that the crystallization enthalpy of P(DG-co-EG) achieved to 141.3 J/g, and its soaking time increased up to 15 min with the increase of molar ratios of PEGA to PDGA:TGA results indicated that P(DG-co-EG) degraded in two steps and its maximum degradation rate was at 420 °C.

► This research provides a new shape-stabilized phase change material poly(decaglycerol-co-ethylene glycol) [P(DG-co-EG)] with higher crystallization enthalpy 141.3 J/g.
► In this work, a new high activity cross-linked monomer PDGA with end-double bond was prepared and used.
► The soaking time of P(DG-co-EG) can reach to 15 min at room temperature.
► P(DG-co-EG) has better thermal stability below 210 °C.