Efficient Shape-Stabilized Phase-Change Material Based on Novel Mesoporous Carbon Microspheres as a Matrix for Polyethylene Glycol: Preparation and Thermal Properties

Novel mesoporous carbon microspheres (MCMS), which exhibited a large surface area and were developed by the pyrolysis of polydopamine microspheres (PDAMS), were used as a supporting material for polyethylene glycol (PEG) to prepare a new type of efficient form-stable phase-change material (MCMS-PEG). Using a simple vacuum impregnation strategy, the preparation of polydopamine microspheres via a biomimetic method was facile, simple and environmentally friendly. Characterization of MCMS-PEG was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results suggested that MCMS-PEG possessed high latent heats of 112.08 J/g during the melting process and 107.34 J/g during the solidification process. Additionally, MCMS-PEG presented an enhanced thermal conductivity and excellent thermal stability. Therefore, the novel mesoporous carbon microspheres developed in this study could be used as efficient supports for the preparation of shape-stabilized phase-change materials.