A Novel Solid-Solid Phase Change Material Based on Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) Grafting With Palmitic Acid Copolymers

Abstract

(SAN-g-PA) as new solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) were synthesized starting from poly(styrene-co- acrylonitrile) (SAN) and palmitic acid (PA). The chemical structure of the synthesized SAN-g-PA were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR), their thermal energy storage properties and thermal stability were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Moreover, the crystalline morphology and crystal structures were also measured with polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The result shows that the PA molecule was grafted onto the SAN, SAN-g-PA were obtained successfully. The crystalline morphology and crystal structures of the synthesized SAN-g-PA are different from palmitic acid and SAN. As novel SSPCMs, SAN-g-PA possess suitable phase transition temperature, the higher enthalpy value, and good heat stability.