Influence of gelation step for preparing PEG–SiO2 shape-stabilized phase change materials by sol–gel method

An in situ shape-stabilized phase change material (ssPCM) from polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been produced by sol–gel method. The inorganic matrix was in situ formed from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), controlling the condensation rate in a second alkaline step using NaOH. ssPCMs having a latent heat up to 113.8 J/g were synthetized using a sol with a molar ratio H 2 O:EtOH:H 2 SO 4 :PEG1000:TEOS of 2:0.34:0.021:0.50:1 and an equivalent ratio NaOH/H 2 SO 4 of 1.15 for promoting the gel step. The presence of high-density hydrogen bonds between silanol groups and the ether oxygen atoms of PEG and the existence of latent heat allowed to confirm that the PEG worked in two ways. It either forms the PEG–SiO 2 matrix or adsorbs onto the surface of the previous polymeric matrix, losing or conserving its latent heat, respectively. The addition of NaOH allowed to change the functionality of the silicon matrix which strongly affected the water content, the thermal stability, and the amount of active PEG in the ssPCMs, leading to an optimal neutralization condition when an equivalent ratio NaOH/H 2 SO 4 of 1.15 was used. The obtained ssPCM has an appropriate range of operative temperatures, a high latent heat in the range of common thermoregulating materials, and a proper thermal reliability. An in situ shape-stabilized phase change material from polyethylene glycol has been produced by sol–gel method, studying the effect of the condensation step on its final properties. Highlights Sol–gel method was used for the in situ production of a ssPCM from PEG and SiO 2 . The sol condensation rate was controlled by adding NaOH in the neutralization step. PEG works either by forming the PEG–SiO 2 matrix or adsorbing onto this solid as PCM. The SiO 2 functionality was established by the neutralization degree. The competition between PEG and SiO– by SiOH groups led to obtain an optimal ssPCM.