Hexadecanol/phase change polyurethane composite as form-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage

A novel phase-change composite based on hexadecanol and dye-linked polyurethane (dye-PU) was obtained in the present paper. Hexadecanol functions as a phase-change material (PCM) while dye-PU functions as both a supporting material and PCM, unlike in previous phase-change composites where it is used only as a general supporting material. FT-IR, XRD, DSC, and TG were employed to determine the structure and basic properties of the composite. The phase change enthalpy of the composite reached 229.5J/g, which was higher than that reported for most form-stable PCMs. The maximum weight percentage of hexadecanol that could be added to the composite without leakage was 63.8%. The linked dye absorbed visible light and converted it into thermal energy that could be stored by the phase-change material. Novel hexadecanol/phase-change polyurethane composite with visible-light-harvesting function was obtained, and the phase change enthalpy could reach 229.5J/g. [Display omitted] •Novel phase-change composite containing hexadecanol and polyurethane was obtained.•The obtained composite has high phase change enthalpy.•The composite has abilities of light-harvesting and light-thermal conversion.•The composite is form-stable PCM due to the supporting effect of polyurethane.