Preparation and characterization of di‐hexadecanol maleic/triallyl isocyanurate cross‐linked copolymer as solid–solid phase change materials

Di‐hexadecanol maleic/Triallyl isocyanurate cross‐linked copolymers as a novel solid–solid phase change materials were successfully synthesized through bulk polymerization. TAIC is the skeleton and DM is a functional side chain that stores and releases heat during its phase transition process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry were employed to study the composition, chemical structure, crystalline properties, phase transition behaviors, and the thermal stability of the cross‐linked copolymers, respectively. The test results indicate that DM/TAIC cross‐linked copolymers have good thermal reliability and heat storage durability after 500 thermal cycles. The phase change temperatures of DM/TAIC cross‐linked copolymers were approximately 28.24–37.02°C, and it has high latent heat storage capacity of more than 83 J/g. At the same time, DM/TAIC cross‐linked copolymers have good thermal stability, and they can be processed or used in high temperature environments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44065.