Molecular Solar-Thermal Energy Storage: Molecular Design and Functional Devices

Lennartson, Anders; Moth‐Poulsen, Kasper

doi:10.1007/978-981-10-5924-7_9

Cited by 14 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 129 publications

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“…Besides established approaches, such as photovoltaics combined with batteries or power-to-X technologies, smart molecular concepts may provide simple, small-scale solutions with the potential to complement the portfolio of established technologies for specific applications. In this context, a particular promising concept is the storage of solar energy in so-called molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems. − Here, molecular switches are used which photoisomerize to a high-energy metastable state upon exposure to sunlight. , Several different classes of molecules have been used in MOST systems, − for example, azobenzenes, , dihydroazulenes, and 1,2-azaborines . One of the most prominent examples in this field is the valence isomer pair of norbornadiene (NBD) and quadricyclane (QC). − Here, the parent molecule NBD is converted photochemically to its energy-rich photoisomer QC via an intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

et al. 2022

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Molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems open application fields for solar energy conversion as they combine conversion, storage, and release in one single molecule. For energy release, catalysts must be controllable, selective, and stable over many operation cycles. Here, we present a MOST/catalyst couple, which combines all these properties. We explore solar energy storage in a tailor-made MOST system (cyano-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-norbornadiene/quadricyclane; NBD′/QC′) and the energy release heterogeneously catalyzed at a Au(111) surface. By photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PEC-IRRAS) and scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that Au triggers the energy release with very high activity. Most remarkably, the release rate of the heterogeneously catalyzed process can be tuned by applying an external potential. Our durability tests show that the MOST/catalyst system is stable over 1000 storage cycles without any decomposition. The surface structure of the catalyst is preserved, and its activity decreases by only 0.1% per storage cycle.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

et al. 2022

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“…One example are molecular solar thermal systems (MOSTs), which combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release using switchable photoisomers (photoswitches). [1][2][3][4][5] In this approach, an energy-lean isomer is converted photochemically in a one-photon one-molecule process into its metastable energy-rich isomer. In this way, the solar energy is stored chemically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Au‐Catalyzed Energy Release in a Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) System: A Combined Liquid‐Phase and Surface Science Study

Eschenbacher,

Hemauer,

Franz

et al. 2023

ChemPhotoChem

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Molecular solar thermals (MOSTs) are molecular systems based on couples of photoisomers (photoswitches), which combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release. In this work, we address the catalytically triggered energy release in the promising MOST couple phenylethylesternorbornadiene/quadricyclane (PENBD/PEQC) on Au(111) in a combined liquid‐phase and surface science study. We investigated the system by photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PEC‐IRRAS) in the liquid phase, conventional IRRAS and synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (SRPES) in ultra‐high vacuum (UHV). Au(111) is highly active towards the catalytically triggered energy release. In the liquid phase, we did not observe any decomposition of the photoswitch, no deactivation of the catalyst within 100 conversion cycles and we could tune the energy release rate of the heterogeneously catalyzed process by applying an external potential. In UHV, submonolayers of PEQC on Au(111) are back‐converted to PENBD instantaneously, even at 110 K. Multilayers of PEQC are stable up to ~220 K. Above this temperature, the intrinsic mobility of the film is high enough that PEQC molecules come into direct contact with the Au(111) surface, which catalyzes the back‐conversion. We suggest that this process occurs via a singlet‐triplet mechanism induced by electronic coupling between the PEQC molecules and the Au(111) surface.

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“…This energy can be released as heat when needed, making these systems ideal for providing energy on demand. Known as MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) systems, [2][3][4][5] they hold significant potential for revolutionizing the way we generate and store energy. [22][23][24][25] To be used as MOST systems, molecules must possess several key features (Figure 1a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling the Potential of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Molecular Solar Thermal Systems

Gimenez‐Gomez,

Rollins,

Steele

et al. 2023

Chemistry A European J

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Solar energy utilization has gained considerable attention due to its abundance and renewability. However, its intermittent nature presents a challenge in harnessing its full potential. The development of energy storing compounds capable of capturing and releasing solar energy on demand has emerged as a potential solution. These compounds undergo a photochemical transformation that results in a high‐energy metastable photoisomer, which stores solar energy in the form of chemical bonds and can release it as heat when required. Such systems are referred to as MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST)‐systems. Although the photoisomerization of MOST systems has been vastly studied, its back‐conversion, particularly using heterogeneous catalysts, is still underexplored and the development of effective catalysts for releasing stored energy is crucial. Herein we compare the performance of 27 heterogeneous catalysts releasing the stored energy in an efficient Norbornadiene/Quadricyclane (NBD/QC) MOST system. We report the first benchmarking of heterogeneous catalysts for a MOST system using a robust comparison method of the catalysts’ activity and monitoring the conversion using UV‐Visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy. Our findings provide insights into the development of effective catalysts for MOST systems. We anticipate that our assay will reveal the necessity of further investigation on heterogeneous catalysis.

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Molecular Solar-Thermal Energy Storage: Molecular Design and Functional Devices

Cited by 14 publications

References 129 publications

Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

Au‐Catalyzed Energy Release in a Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) System: A Combined Liquid‐Phase and Surface Science Study

Unveiling the Potential of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Molecular Solar Thermal Systems

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