Photoresponsive Carbon‐Azobenzene Hybrids: A Promising Material for Energy Devices

Abstract

Advancements in renewable energy technology have been a hot topic in the field of photoresponsive materials for a sustainable community. Organic compounds that function as photoswitches is being researched and developed for use in a variety of energy storage systems. Azobenzene photoswitches can be used to store and release solar energy in solar thermal fuels. This review draws out the significance of azobenzene as photoswitches and its recent advances in solar thermal fuels. The recent developments of nano carbon templated azobenzene, their interactions and the effect of substituents are highlighted. The review also introduces their applications in solar thermal fuels and concludes with the challenges and future scope of the material. The advancements of solar thermal fuels with cost effective and desired optimal properties can be explored by scientists and engineers from different technological backgrounds.

Spintronics on Demand: Optically Tunable Kondo-Type Phenomena in Germanene-Azobenzene Single-Molecule Junctions

“…Azobenzene’s facile synthesis, affordability, and remarkable stability also render it a highly appealing photochromic agent . The unique reversible photoisomerization of azobenzene makes it a valuable candidate for designing photoswitches and has found applications in diverse fields, ranging from optogenetics to energy storage and electronic devices.…”

Azopyridine as a Linker Molecule in Polyaniline-Grafted Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Electrodes for Asymmetric Supercapacitors

“…Carbon nanomaterials exhibit long cycling life, but their specific capacitance is very low. On the other hand, ECPs are excellent candidates that possess high specific capacitance, but their stability is very poor. – …”

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of 3‐[(2‐chlorophenyl)diazenyl]pyridine‐2,6‐diamine as Optical Limiter

“…[7,8] Azobenzenes (ABs) are easily synthesized and are highly versatile photoswitches. [9,10] They have high extinction coefficients and quantum yields, allowing photoswitching with low-intensity light. [11] Photoisomerization of AB was discovered in 1937.…”

“…The trans isomer of azobenzene converts to cis isomer under the influence of light, making it suitable for use as a molecular switch [7,8] . Azobenzenes (ABs) are easily synthesized and are highly versatile photoswitches [9,10] . They have high extinction coefficients and quantum yields, allowing photoswitching with low‐intensity light [11] .…”