Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified epoxy phase-change polymer with dual properties of thermal storage and vibration damping

Abstract

A novel cross-linked self-sustaining film was prepared by reaction of carboxyl-capped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with epoxy resin, followed by incorporation of the prepared material (named modified epoxy, ME) into an epoxy matrix. Self-sustaining films were obtained with up to 60 wt% ME in the epoxy matrix. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used for chemical characterization of the samples. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study exhibited maximum enthalpy for PCM film reaching up to 41 J g⁻¹. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) indicated lesser degree of crystallinity of PEG segments due to constriction by crosslinked epoxy resin. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results indicate that the blend of epoxy and ME is compatible up to 30 wt% ME and there is distinct phase separation beyond this composition.