Phase change materials stabilized by porous metal supramolecular gels: Gelation effect on loading capacity and thermal performance

Shape-stability, PCM loading capacity, and energy storage performance of organic phase change materials (PCMs) are crucial in broad applications of thermal energy storage and management. In this study, a facile strategy was followed to design 3D-porous metal supramolecular gels as supporting materials. The phase change composites were prepared by solution impregnation of polyethylene glycol. The porous supporting material exhibited large specific surface area, high total pore volume, and micro/mesopore characteristics. In addition, the influence of gel concentration on PCM encapsulation and thermal properties of composite materials were investigated in which increasing the concentration result in a decrease in energy storage capacity and loading ratio. The as-prepared phase change composites revealed a high PCM loading capacity up to 90 wt% and energy storage capability reaches 100%. Factors such as pore characteristics and gel concentration played a central role in the thermal properties of composite PCMs. Further, the phase change composites showed high durability after 100 heating/cooling cycles without a significant shift in latent heat and phase transition temperatures. This investigation provides an insight into making a facile synthesis of gel-based composite PCMs and possible thermal energy management systems.