Shape-stabilized phase change materials based on polyethylene glycol/porous carbon composite: The influence of the pore structure of the carbon materials

The phase change behaviors of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/porous carbon composites are extensively studied. Three types of shape-stabilized PCMs were prepared using expanded graphite (EG), active carbon (AC) and ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-5) as supporting materials with various pore structures. They have distinct influences on the phase change behaviors of PEG/porous carbon composites. The highest stabilized PEG content is 70 wt% for AC and 90% for both EG and CMK-5. The phase change enthalpy and the PEG crystallinity increases in the order AC

► Three types of shape-stabilized PCMs based on porous carbon materials were prepared.
► The pore structures of porous carbon materials are different.
► Porous carbon materials have different impacts on the phase change behavior of PEG.
► Pores with micrometer size minimize the heat loss with the same stabilization ability.