A novel TPC-PEG-TPC with active end-groups was obtained from the end-groups of polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified by terephthaloyl chloride (TPC). These active end-groups can link up with a rare earth ion, which is a luminescent center of a rare earth fluorescent complex. Complexes of Eu-PEG with novel ligands (TPC-PEG-PTC) were synthesized by the coordination of the active reactant (as the first ligand) and phenanthroline (as the second ligand) with Eu3+. IR, 1H-NMR, element analysis, DSC, WAXD, fluorescent spectroscopy, TGA, and SEM were used to characterize the structure and properties of these complexes. The results showed that this type of complex is a heat storage material with the phase change character of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the luminescent properties of europium. There was no thermal decomposition of the complex of Eu-PEG until 300 ℃. SEM showed that the complex of Eu-PEG can be dispersed in PE.

Keywords: polyethylene glycol (PEG); terephthaloyl chloride (TPC); phase change energy storage; rare earth; luminescence