Synthesis and characterization of chain-extended and branched polyurethane copolymers as form stable phase change materials for solar thermal conversion storage

In this work, polyethylene glycol (PEG) based polyurethane copolymer was synthesized using linear chain extension and branching methods. In linear chain extension, multiple PEG molecules were linked using urethane bonds. In branching, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) backbone was grafted with PEG molecules as branches and cross-linked to other PVOH molecules. 4,4′-Diphenylmethane di-isocyanate (MDI) was used as both chain extender and cross-linker. The resulting copolymers were characterized for chemical composition, microscopic morphology, crystalloid structure and thermal properties. Based on the results from characterizations, a detailed discussion on the phase change mechanism in polyurethanes is presented. 1H NMR and FT-IR results confirmed the chain extension and branching. 1H NMR spectra displayed characteristic signal of the urethane. DSC results revealed solid-solid phase change behavior of copolymers with high latent heat. Crystalline nature of spherulite lamellae structures was verified by observing birefringence using POM microscope and XRD peaks. Polyurethane copolymers had maximum latent heat absorption capacity of 144.14 kJ kg−1 at melting temperature of 51 ℃ and had maximum heat release capacity of 117.5 kJ kg−1 at freezing temperature of 33 ℃. Polyurethane copolymers were thermally stable up to 200 ℃. Polyurethane copolymers satisfied all criteria for use as form stable solid-solid phase change material (SSPCM) in solar thermal conversion storage.