Plant oil-based phase change materials for sustainable thermal energy storage: A review

Phase change materials (PCMs) have the capacity to store surplus thermal energy and release it when required, making them highly promising for energy conservation and renewable energy. Nevertheless, the adverse ecological consequences associated with the manufacturing and disposal of certain PCMs are worrisome, such as energy consumption, chemical pollution, non-biodegradability, and challenge for recycling. Plant oils are being recognized as potential alternatives for more ecologically sustainable PCMs. Plant oil-based PCMs (PO-PCMs), such as those made from coconut oil, palm oil, and castor oil, are both biodegradable and renewable. Additionally, they have a high energy storage capacity and a significant amount of heat released or absorbed during the phase transition process. However, the inherent organic composition of PO-PCMs frequently leads to reduced thermal conductivities and heat transfer efficiency. To overcome these restrictions, current research is concentrated on altering PCMs using various fillers or additives to improve their thermal efficiency and expand their range of applications. Although numerous reviews exist on the applications of PCMs, specific summaries on the advancements in PO-PCMs are limited. This review attempts to fill this need by specifically examining the recent advancements in the processing, characteristics, and applications of PO-PCMs in sustainable industries. The promising application fields include solar energy systems, thermal storage, food delivery and storage, and environmentally sustainable systems. The utilization of PO-PCMs in various domains greatly enhances the worldwide sustainability initiative.