Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

Franz, Evanie; Stumm, Corinna; Waidhas, Fabian; Bertram, Manon; Jevric, Martyn; Orrego‐Hernández, Jessica; Hölzel, Helen; Moth‐Poulsen, Kasper; Brummel, Olaf; Libuda, Jörg

doi:10.1021/acscatal.2c03043

Cited by 8 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…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

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

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

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the electrochemical approach, the energy release is controlled directly by the applied potential. The energy release in a heterogeneously catalyzed process is controlled using flow reactors. , While the electrochemical energy release requires a catalytically inactive electrode material, heterogeneous catalysts must be catalytically highly active and selective . For E / Z -AZOs and HetABs, electrochemical triggering can be achieved via a reductive reaction pathway. , In a recent study, we demonstrated that the energy release of the heteroarylazobenzene 3-cyanophenylazothiophene can be triggered electrochemically with high cyclability …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this geometry mass transport in the thin layer is decoupled from the bulk solution. , Details on the setup are described in our previous work . The experimental procedure used for all three surfaces is depicted in Figure a.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To build an efficient MOST storage device, however, it is also essential to control the energy release, an aspect that has received less attention. The most promising approaches to trigger the energy release are the electrochemical ,− or the catalytic pathway. − Both approaches offer a high degree of controllability. In the electrochemical approach, the energy release is controlled directly by the applied potential.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We observed a similar behavior in previous studies with the NBD/QC MOST system. The activity of the Pt(111) catalyst is significantly lower in the liquid phase as compared to UHV conditions . This observation indicates a strong influence of hydrocarbon species especially from the air and from solution.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

How Adsorption Affects the Energy Release in an Azothiophene-Based Molecular Solar–Thermal System

Franz

Jung

Kunz

et al. 2023

J. Phys. Chem. Lett.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Molecular solar–thermal (MOST) systems combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release within one single molecule. To release the energy, different approaches are applicable, e.g., the electrochemical and the catalytic pathways. While the electrochemical pathway requires catalytically inert electrode materials, the catalytic pathway requires active and selective catalysts. In this work, we studied the catalytic activity and selectivity of graphite(0001), Pt(111), and Au(111) surfaces for the energy release from the MOST system 3-cyanophenylazothiophene along with its adsorption properties. In our study, we combine in situ photochemical IR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). Graphite(0001) is catalytically inactive, shows the weakest reactant–surface interaction, and therefore is ideally suitable for electrochemical triggering. On Pt(111), we observe strong reactant–surface interactions along with moderate catalytic activity and partial decomposition, which limit the applicability of this material. On Au(111), we observe high catalytic activity and high selectivity (>99%). We assign these catalytic properties to the moderate reactant surface interaction, which prevents decomposition but facilitates energy release via a singlet–triplet mechanism.

show abstract

The Norbornadiene/Quadricyclane Pair as Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage System: Surface Science Investigations

Hemauer,

Steinrück,

Papp

2024

ChemPhysChem

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

For the transition to renewable energy sources, novel energy storage materials are more important than ever. This review addresses so‐called molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems, which appear very promising since they combine light harvesting and energy storing in one‐photon one‐molecule processes. The focus is on norbornadiene (NBD), a particularly interesting candidate, which is converted to the strained valence isomer quadricyclane (QC) upon irradiation. The stored energy can be released on demand. The energy‐releasing cycloreversion from QC to NBD can be initiated by a thermal, catalytic, or electrochemical trigger. The reversibility of the energy storage and release cycles determines the general practicality of a MOST system. In the search for derivatives, which enable large‐scale applications, fundamental surface science studies help to assess the feasibility of potential substituted NBD/QC couples. We focus on investigations under well‐defined ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) conditions as well as experiments in liquid phase. Next to mechanistic insights into the isomerization between the two valence isomers, information on adsorption geometries, thermal stability limits, and reaction pathways of the respective molecules are discussed. Moreover, laboratory‐scaled test devices demonstrated the proof of concept in various areas of application.

show abstract

Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

Cited by 8 publications

References 49 publications

Unveiling the Potential of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Molecular Solar Thermal Systems

Unveiling the Potential of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Molecular Solar Thermal Systems

How Adsorption Affects the Energy Release in an Azothiophene-Based Molecular Solar–Thermal System

The Norbornadiene/Quadricyclane Pair as Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage System: Surface Science Investigations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About