Crosslinked Waterborne Polyurethane Solid-Solid Phase Change Materials with Polyethylene Glycol for Thermoregulating
Hongjie Cao1,2,3, Yanli Sun1,2,3, Shaofeng Lu1,2,3
1School of Textile Science and Engineering, Xi'an Engineering University, Xi'an 710048, China.
Polymers
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed novel solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) from waterborne polyurethane integrated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). These advanced materials offer excellent thermal regulation and stability for textiles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) are crucial for thermal energy storage due to their high heat capacity, leak-proof nature, and dimensional stability.
- Thermoregulating textiles require advanced materials capable of efficient heat management and long-term performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based crosslinked waterborne polyurethane SSPCMs (WPU-SSPCMs).
- To investigate the influence of synthesis parameters on the phase transition behavior and thermal stability of WPU-SSPCMs.
- To evaluate the thermoregulating performance of WPU-SSPCMs applied to cotton fabric.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of WPU-SSPCMs using PEG, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), and glycerol (GL).
- Systematic investigation of parameters including PEG molecular weight, diisocyanate type, chain-extension temperature, and monomer molar ratio.
- Analysis of phase transition behavior, thermal stability, and thermal cycling stability.
- Application of WPU-SSPCMs onto cotton fabric for performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- Optimal WPU-SSPCMs were achieved with PEG molecular weight of 2000, chain-extension temperature of 70 °C, and a specific monomer ratio (n(PEG:HMDI:GL) = 1:2:0.67).
- The optimized material exhibited a melting temperature of 33.38 °C and a high enthalpy of 80.31 J/g.
- WPU-SSPCMs demonstrated solid-solid phase transition, excellent thermal stability, and minimal enthalpy variation (<1 J/g) after 100 cycles, confirming no liquid leakage.
- Thermoregulating textiles incorporating WPU-SSPCMs showed significant temperature buffering during heating and cooling cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed PEG-based WPU-SSPCMs possess excellent thermal energy storage capabilities and remarkable thermal/cycling stability.
- These WPU-SSPCMs are highly suitable for creating advanced thermoregulating textiles with intelligent temperature control.
- The study highlights the potential of these materials for innovative applications in smart textiles and thermal management solutions.
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