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A form-stable wood-based phase change material via double cross-linking esterification after removal of lignin for thermal energy storage

Author

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  • Zuo, Peixian
  • Cao, Xiaoling
  • Li, Jinwei
  • Yuan, Yanping
  • Fan, Mizi

Abstract

This study developed a form-stable wood-based phase change material (FWPCM) via double cross-linking esterification (DCLE) to prevent PCM leakage and volume expansion. The mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a PCM and 1,2,3,4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as a cross-linking agent was vacuum-impregnated into delignified wood. Lignin removal was carried out using traditional alkali treatment (Na2SO3/NaOH) and deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment, with the former removing most lignin and hemicellulose from the wood. The comparison revealed that DES-delignified wood (DW) avoids chemical hydrolysis of cellulose, effectively preserving the lignocellulosic skeleton. The exposed hydroxyl groups in cellulose promoted DCLE, which was confirmed by FTIR and XPS. A small amount of BTCA was added to create ester bonds with cellulose to stabilize PEG in the DW, resulting in the FWPCM that demonstrated excellent leakage resistance and a higher encapsulation rate of 84.75 %. The phase change exhibited a maximum enthalpy of 150.1 J·g-1 at 58.5 °C. FWPCM showed anisotropic heat transfer characteristic (radial 0.14 W/(m·K), longitudinal 0.19 W/(m·K)), high thermal stability (283 °C), and excellent cycling durability (200 cycles). This study provides a reliable, cost-effective and eco-friendly thermal energy storage material for building energy conservation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zuo, Peixian & Cao, Xiaoling & Li, Jinwei & Yuan, Yanping & Fan, Mizi, 2026. "A form-stable wood-based phase change material via double cross-linking esterification after removal of lignin for thermal energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PE).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pe:s0960148125017781
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124114
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Xinghui & Zhu, Ziqi & Yang, Pei & You, Zhenping & Dong, Yue & Tang, Miao & Chen, Minzhi & Zhou, Xiaoyan, 2021. "Carbonized wood loaded with carbon dots for preparation long-term shape-stabilized composite phase change materials with superior thermal energy conversion capacity," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 19-30.
    2. Liu, Changhui & Xiao, Tong & Zhao, Jiateng & Liu, Qingyi & Sun, Wenjie & Guo, Chenglong & Ali, Hafiz Muhammad & Chen, Xiao & Rao, Zhonghao & Gu, Yanlong, 2023. "Polymer engineering in phase change thermal storage materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Tunçbilek, Ekrem & Arıcı, Müslüm & Krajčík, Michal & Li, Dong & Nižetić, Sandro & Papadopoulos, Agis M., 2023. "Enhancing building wall thermal performance with phase change material and insulation: A comparative and synergistic assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
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