Waste oils and their transesterification products as novel bio-based phase change materials

Phase change materials are able to absorb, store and release thermal energy in form of latent heat during solid/liquid phase transition. They have several applications aimed at reducing energy consumption and promoting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy. Oils and their transesterification products are bio-based promising alternatives to conventional inorganic and organic PCMs, thanks to their suitable thermal properties. Their possible applications depend on transition temperatures, influenced by the chain length and degree of saturation of fatty acid residues. Based on their properties, oil- and glycerol-derived PCMs are applicable in air-conditioning systems and for the enhancement of thermal comfort in buidings, whereas ester-derived PCMs can be used for refrigeration applications.