Large phase-change latent heat and good shape stability are of critical importance in the practical application of phase-change materials for thermal energy storage. This study focuses on a novel strategy to obtain novel phase-change materials with high phase-change enthalpy and form-stable characteristics from the simple composite of paraffin with cross-linking phase-change structure. The structure, thermal properties, crystalline properties, shape-stabilized properties, and thermal stability of the composite materials were determined and analyzed. The phase transition enthalpy of the material can reach 210.6 J/g at a paraffin weight content of 74%. This result was higher than most of the previously reported form-stable PCMs. The shape of the composite was unchanged even after being placed on a 100 degrees C hot plate. This effect was attributed to the supporting mechanism of cross-linking phase-change structure. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.