Preparation and properties of biodegradable multi-block copolymer/graphite oxide composite phase change materials

Abstract

A novel biodegradable solid–solid phase change heat storage composite materials (GO-PBSEG) were synthesized by in situ polymerization reaction of high molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG4000) with succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol (BD) and graphite oxide (GO). PEG was used as a working substance in GO-PBSEG composite materials. To characterize the resulting product, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectrometer, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal constant analyzer, polarization optical microscopy measurements and scanning electron microscopy were employed to investigate the structure, thermal properties, crystalline behavior and enzymatic degradation of phase change materials. The experimental results indicated that the GO-PBSEG composite materials showed typical solid–solid phase transition properties, and the exothermic phase change enthalpy of PEG unit reached 64.8 J g−1. With the increase in GO content, the thermal conductivity properties of composite materials were improved, and the enzymatic degradation rate gradually increased. POM observations indicated that the 1.0 mass% GO-PBSEG sample had the largest spherulites and the lowest nucleation ability.