Graphene size-dependent phase change behaviors of in situ reduced grapehene oxide/polyurethane-based solid-solid phase change composites.

Graphical abstract The crystallization of PEG parts could be continuously improved with the decrease of GO size owing to the increase of heterogeneous nucleation density and mitigation of the chemical and physical restrictions of segments. Highlights • The crystallization of PEG in system get a lot enhancement. • The phase change performance of the system is GO size-dependent. • The interaction among crosslinking network plays an important role. Abstract In this study, the size effects of graphene oxide (GO) sheets on the phase change behaviors of crosslinking polyurethane system have been investigated. The experimental results show that phase change performance of the system is connected closely to the heterogeneous nucleation, physical confinements from GO and interactions in the system, which are inseparable from the specific surface area and the contents of oxygen functional groups depending on the size. This work has a theoretical significance to design thermal energy storage materials with desired properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]