Biodegradable PEG/cellulose, PEG/agarose and PEG/chitosan blends as shape stabilized phase change materials for latent heat energy storage

This study based on the preparation and characterization of PEG/cellulose, PEG/agarose, and PEG/chitosan blends as form/stable phase change materials (PCMs) for latent heat energy storage. 60/40% w/w PEG/cellulose, 70/30% w/w PEG/agarose, and 80/20% w/w PEG/chitosan blends were found to contain maximum PEG without leakage above melting point and are characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, polarized optic microscopy (POM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. DSC analysis indicated that the form-stable PEG/cellulose. PEG/agarose, and PEG/chitosan blends melt at 58.51 degrees C, 57.73 degrees C, and 57.18 degrees C with 84.63 J/g, 110.87 J/g, and 152.16 J/g latent heats, respectively, as they crystallizes at 37.05 degrees C, 43.36 degrees C, and 44.76 degrees C with -78.92 J/g, -99.01 J/g, and -138.39 J/g, respectively. Accelerated thermal cycling tests were applied to present thermal reliability and chemical stability of the shape stabilized blends. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.