We explore the ability of Diels-Alder (DA) furan-maleimide coupling to support formation of thermo-reversible dynamic covalent networks in the highly ionic environment of inorganic salt hydrate phase change materials. The formation of salogels (gels in inorganic salt hydrates) was demonstrated in lithium nitrate trihydrate (LiNO<sub>3</sub>.3H<sub>2</sub>O, LNH), which has an ionic strength of 18 M. Gelation was achieved by chemical modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with furfural, followed by crosslinking of the modified polymers dissolved in LNH using  a bismaleimide-based crosslinker. This procedure yielded strong PVA salogels which were stabilized by DA dynamic covalent bonds. Rheological performance and creep characteristics of the salogels are contrasted with hydrogels, and DA salogels are also compared with salogels based on PVA-borax dynamic covalent chemistry. Finally, thermal performance of LNH as a phase change material (PCM) confined within DA salogels was explored.

Diels-Alder salogels for shape stabilization of inorganic salt hydrate phase change materials

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