Recent Progress of Sub‐Nanometric Materials in Photothermal Energy Conversion

Abstract

Sub-nanometric materials (SNMs) are an attractive scope in recent years due to their atomic-level size and unique properties. Among various performances of SNMs, photothermal energy conversion is one of the most important ones because it can efficiently utilize the light energy. Herein, the SNMs with photothermal energy conversion behaviors and their applications are reviewed. First, a hydrothermal/solvothermal method for the synthesis of SNMs is systematically discussed, including the LaMer pathway and the cluster-nuclei coassembly pathway. Based on this synthetic strategy, many kinds of SNMs with different morphologies are successfully prepared, such as nanorings, nanowires, nanosheets, and nanobelts. These SNMs exhibit excellent photothermal performance under the laser or solar irradiation according to their different light absorption ranges. These enhanced absorption performances of SNMs are induced by the mechanism of plasmonic localized heating or nonradiative relaxation. Finally, the applications of the photothermal SNMs are illustrated. The SNMs with photothermal behaviors can be widely applied in the fields of solar vapor generation, biomedicine, and light-responsive composites construction. It is hoped that this review can provide new viewpoints and profound understanding to the SNMs in photothermal energy conversion.

Metalated covalent organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to diverse applications

“…In this subtype, the photothermal material absorbs light energy and converts it to thermal energy via localized surface plasmon resonance heating or nonradiative relaxation. 648,649 Local overheating replaces the external heat source. The reaction occurring at elevated temperature still proceeds in the same way as the traditional thermally driven process, in which photogenerated charge carriers or excitons do not contribute to reactant activation in this subtype.…”

Recent progress of sub-1 nm nanomaterials: synthesis, polymer-analogue properties and applications in redox catalysis

“…SNMs can interact with the external field efficiently, which endows SNMs with outstanding catalytic and optical properties. SNMs have shown great potential for optics, 9 catalysis, 8 energy conversion 10 and mechanical applications. 11 Typically, SNMs can be classified into zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) materials.…”

“…SNMs can interact with the external field efficiently, which endows SNMs with outstanding catalytic and optical properties. SNMs have shown great potential for optics, 9 catalysis, 8 energy conversion 10 and mechanical applications. 11…”

Acid-triggered two-stage superlarge redshift absorption for turn-on type photothermal conversion at the first and second near-infrared window

“…Following excitation by incident illumination, photothermal conversion materials can generate thermal energy through nonradiative emission. 1–3 In particular, the use of near-infrared (NIR) light, with wavelength ranging from 700 to 2500 nm, is arousing tremendous attention owing to its unique features, including minimal invasion, less energy dissipation, and deep tissue penetration. 4–7 NIR absorbers with photothermal conversion performance have shown great potential in seawater desalination, 8 disease diagnosis and treatment, 9–12 electronic sensors, 13 soft actuators, 14–16 data storage, 17 etc.…”