Storing energy with molecular photoisomers
Review article, 2021
Some molecular photoisomers can be isomerized to a metastable high-energy state by exposure to light. These molecules can then be thermally or catalytically converted back to their initial state, releasing heat in the process. Such a reversible photochemical process has been considered for developing molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems. In this review, we introduce the concept, criteria, and state-of-the-art of MOST systems, with an emphasis on the three most promising molecular systems: norbornadiene/quadricyclane, E/Z-azobenzene, and dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene. After discussing the fundamental working principles, we focus on molecular design strategies for improving solar energy storage performance, remaining challenges, and potential focus areas. Finally, we summarize the current molecular incorporation into functional devices and conclude with a perspective on challenges and future directions.
photoisomers
photoswitches
energy storage
solar energy
Author
Zhihang Wang
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Paul Erhart
Chalmers, Physics, Condensed Matter and Materials Theory
Tao Li
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhao Yang Zhang
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Diego Sampedro
University of La Rioja
Zhiyu Hu
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Hermann A. Wegner
Justus Liebig University Giessen
Olaf Brummel
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU)
Jörg Libuda
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU)
M. B. Nielsen
University of Copenhagen
Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies
Institute of Material Science of Barcelona (ICMAB)
Joule
25424351 (eISSN)
Vol. 5 12 3116-3136Phase behavior and electronic properties of mixed halide perovskites from atomic scale simulations
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2020-04935), 2020-12-01 -- 2024-11-30.
Wallenberg Nanokatalys KMP
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (21250075), 2016-01-01 -- 2020-12-31.
Computational Materials Design Of Transport Properties
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, 2015-07-01 -- 2020-06-30.
Molecular Solar Thermal energy storage systems (MOST)
European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/951801), 2020-09-01 -- 2024-02-29.
Swedish Energy Agency (2019-010724), 2019-05-07 -- 2019-09-03.
Subject Categories
Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Other Engineering and Technologies not elsewhere specified
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Energy Systems
Areas of Advance
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Materials Science
Infrastructure
C3SE (Chalmers Centre for Computational Science and Engineering)
DOI
10.1016/j.joule.2021.11.001