Preparation and performances of form-stable polyethylene glycol/methylcellulose composite phase change materials

A series of polyethylene glycol (PEG) /methylcellulose (MC) composites with various PEG mass loading (10%-50 wt%) were prepared via physical blending method as a new type of form-stable composite phase change material (CPCM). The transimission, chemical compatibility, thermal and mechanical properties of form-stable PEG/MC CPCMs were characterized using polarized optic microscopy (POM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and mechanical tester. For PEG/MC composite membranes, the addition of PEG had some effects on the transparency of membranes. As the PEG content reaches 20% (mass fraction), the composites exhibited phase change energy storage capacity. When PEG content increase further, the fusion or solidification enthalpies of the composites raised gradually. The mechanic tests displayed that the fracture strength and elastic modulus of the PEG/MC composites reduced as the PEG loadings increased. While the elongation at break increased first and then decreased. The novel PEG/MC CPCM exhibited suitable thermal performances for latent heat energy storage.