PEG2000@PAN Composite Electrospinned Nanostructures as Shape Stabilised Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

In this study, nanostructures were produced through electrospinning from poly(ethylene glycol) 2000 (PEG2000)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Since PAN is the most easily spun polymer, it acts as a scaffold for nano-dispersed PEG2000 that cannot be electrospinned into a nanofiber. In this way, PEG2000@PAN electrospinned materials can be easily applied. The solutions prepared are 10%, 20%, and 35% PAN by mass in DMF because further ratios showed leakage when PEG2000 was liquid. PEG2000 is dispersed randomly in PAN nanofibrils in the resulting structure, sufficient for shape stability and nanodispersion efficiency. DSC analysis performed in the range of 0-70 ? revealed the melting enthalpies of PEG2000@PAN 10/90, PEG2000@PAN 20/80 and PEG2000@PAN 35/65 nanofibers as averages of 1.8 J.g-1, 39.4 J.g-1, and 46.3 J.g-1, respectively. According to the SEM images, PEG2000@PAN nanofabrics showed increasing aggregation with the PEG2000 content. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.