We report the design of photo-responsive organic phase change materials that can absorb filtered solar radiation to store both latent heat and photon energy via simultaneous phase transition and photo-isomerization....
The generally small Gibbs free energy difference between
the Z and E isomers of hydrazone
photoswitches
has so far precluded their use in photon energy storing applications.
Here, we report on a series of cyclic and acyclic hydrazones, which
possess varied degrees of ring strain and, hence, stability of E isomers. The photoinduced isomerization and concurrent
phase transition of the cyclic hydrazones from a crystalline to a
liquid phase result in the storage of a large quantity of energy,
comparable to that of azobenzene derivatives. We demonstrate that
the macrocyclic photochrome design in combination with phase transition
is a promising strategy for molecular solar thermal energy storage
applications.
This review illustrates various structural design principles for molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage materials based on photoswitches that operate in different conditions, e.g. solution state, neat liquid, and solid,...
We address a critical challenge of recovering and recycling homogeneous organocatalysts by designing photoswitchable catalyst structures that display a reversible solubility change in response to light. Initially insoluble catalysts are UV-switched to a soluble isomeric state, which catalyzes the reaction, then back-isomerizes to the insoluble state upon completion of the reaction to be filtered and recycled. The molecular design principles that allow for the drastic solubility change over 10 times between the isomeric states, 87 % recovery by the lightinduced precipitation, and multiple rounds of catalyst recycling are revealed. This proof of concept will open up opportunities to develop highly recyclable homogeneous catalysts that are important for the synthesis of critical compounds in various industries, which is anticipated to significantly reduce environmental impact and costs.
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