Debbie Soo, X. Y., Png, Z. M., Zhang, D., Chong, Y., Tan, S. Y., Sng, A., Hui, H. K., Xu, J., & Zhu, Q. (2026). UV-curable flexible thermochromic phase change materials. Materials Today Chemistry, 53, 103538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103538
Abstract:
To enhance the functionality of phase change materials (PCMs), properties such as thermochromism, flexibility, and form-stability have been integrated into PCMs for potential uses in smart windows, temperature sensors and indicators, as well as packaging materials. In this study, we focus on a PCM incorporated into a UV-curable flexible resin, Elastic 50A (EA-50A), to develop a flexible temperature-regulating composite that exhibits thermochromic properties, transitioning from opaque to transparent when heated. A PCM composite formulation containing 60 wt% 1-tetradecanol and 70 wt% dodecanoic acid demonstrated excellent thermochromism, achieving high optical transparency (ΔTlum up to 97.7%) and significant solar modulation (ΔTsolar up to 89.7%) during the heated phase.
The PCM composites also exhibited high latent heats ranging from 124.40 to 144.40 Jg-1, with tunable melting points between 22 °C and 63 °C, together with minimal leakage (1.07 – 1.17%). Furthermore, these composites displayed impressive flexibility, with tensile strengths of 0.61 – 0.96 MPa and elongation rates of up to 280%. As a composite material, the PCM simultaneously acts as a plasticizer and a reinforcing phase for Elastic 50A, where its molecular interactions with the resin enhance flexibility, while the formation of crystalline domains strengthens the matrix, resulting in a synergistic improvement in mechanical performance. Additionally, these flexible thermochromic PCMs demonstrated the ability to retard heat gain and extend heat storage during both heating and cooling phases, making them promising candidates for temperature-regulating applications.
License type:
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research - Singapore Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity (MTC) Young Individual Research Grant
Grant Reference no. : M22K3c0102
This research / project is supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore - Low-Carbon Energy Research
Grant Reference no. : U2305D4001