In this study, a series of shape-stabilized comb-like polymeric phase change materials (CLPPCMs), denoted as EMA-g-CnH2n+1OH (poly(ethylene-graft-maleic anhydride)-g-alkyl alcohol) with n=14, 16, 18, 26, were prepared through an esterification reaction between poly(ethylene-graft-maleic anhydride) (EMA) and n-alkyl alcohols (CnH2n+1OH). The structure, thermal properties and shape-stabilized performance of EMA-g-CnH2n+1OH CLPPCMs were investigated by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). EMA-g-CnH2n+1OH CLPPCMs show a good thermal stability and shape-stabilized performance. With the side-chain length increasing, the phase transition temperature and the heat enthalpy change from 36.4 to 67.1 degrees C and from 125.7 to 146.2 J/g, respectively, demonstrating a side-chain length-dependent behavior. EMA-g-CnH2n+1OH CLPPCMs prove the excellent thermal reliability and structure stability after 300 heating-cooling cycles. The time of heat storage and release lasts for 205 and 49 s, respectively. EMA-g-CnH2n+1OH CLPPCMs show their potential applications under 300 degrees C as the thermal energy storage materials. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.