A hydrogel-like form-stable phase change material with high loading efficiency supported by a three dimensional metal–organic network

Abstract

• We prepared a hydrogel-like form-stable phase change material (FSPCM). • This FSPCM is supported by a three dimensional metal–organic network. • This FSPCM has a loading efficiency of 98.0 wt% for polyethylene glycol. We prepared a hydrogel-like polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based form-stable phase change material (FSPCM) supported by a three dimensional (3D) metal–organic network through a very simple method with low cost. The 3D network with ultrahigh molecular weight and crosslinking density has strong hydrogen bonding interaction with PEG molecules, and keeps the PEG matrix shape-stabilized even at 80 °C. Like hydrogels that can retain substantial water, this hydrogel-like FSPCM has a loading efficiency for PEG of 98.0 wt%, which is the highest value of PEG-based FSPCMs until now to the best of our knowledge. The latent heat values of the FSPCM are 158.4 and 165.3 J·g −1 in the melting and solidification process respectively, showing remarkable performance for thermal energy storage. Additionally, the hydrogel-like FSPCM has excellent thermal reliability due to the stable structure and property of the 3D metal–organic network.