Crosslinked waterborne polyurethane-acrylate phase change material with excellent flexibility and shape stability

The article presents a groundbreaking study on the development of a flexible, cross-linked waterborne polyurethane-acrylate phase change material (PCM) with remarkable properties. The research addresses the critical need for reusable energy storage materials in response to the increasing environmental concerns associated with fossil energy consumption. The developed PCM exhibits a high phase transition enthalpy of 125.6 J/g and a phase transition temperature of 55.5°C, making it highly efficient for thermal energy storage. The material's unique cross-linked structure, achieved through the integration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and trimethylolpropane (TMP), ensures excellent shape stability and prevents leakage during phase transitions. This innovation is particularly noteworthy for its potential to overcome the limitations of conventional PCMs, which often suffer from leakage and poor mechanical properties. The article also provides a detailed analysis of the material's thermal stability, mechanical flexibility, and crystallinity, supported by various characterization techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The study demonstrates the material's superior performance in terms of thermal cycling stability and mechanical strength, making it a promising candidate for applications in smart textiles, wearable devices, and advanced energy storage systems. The research highlights the significance of optimizing the formulation and synthesis conditions to achieve the desired properties, paving the way for future developments in sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions.