Abstract:

A series of composites based on different side-chain length fatty alcohol (CnOH, n=14,16,18,26) and poly(stearyl methacrylate) (PSMA) with weight ratio of 60:40 are prepared by physical mixing method. The structures, thermal performances, phase change behaviors and crystallization behaviors of were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The C14OH/PSMA and C16OH/PSMA composites exhibit maltese cross of polymer spherulite, and their size is approximately ca. 250 μm. However, for C18OH/PSMA and C26OH/PSMA composites, no polymer spherulite morphology is founded. The heat enthalpy and thermal stabilities of CnOH/PSMA composites increases with the side-chain length of CnOH, and it shows the complicated variation behavior. The crystal morphology is deeply discussed from the aspect of crystal nucleation and side-chain crystallization behavior, and the end-use possibility of thermal energy storage is also clarified.

Key words: fatty alcohol, poly(stearyl methacrylate), energy-saving material, spherulite