Molecular solar thermal energy storage in photoswitch oligomers increases energy densities and storage times
Journal article, 2018

Molecular photoswitches can be used for solar thermal energy storage by photoisomerization into high-energy, meta-stable isomers; we present a molecular design strategy leading to photoswitches with high energy densities and long storage times. High measured energy densities of up to 559 kJ kg(-1) (155 Wh kg(-1)), long storage lifetimes up to 48.5 days, and high quantum yields of conversion of up to 94% per subunit are demonstrated in norbornadiene/quadricyclane (NBD/QC) photo-/thermoswitch couples incorporated into dimeric and trimeric structures. By changing the linker unit between the NBD units, we can at the same time fine-tune light-harvesting and energy densities of the dimers and trimers so that they exceed those of their monomeric analogs. These new oligomers thereby meet several of the criteria to be met for an optimum molecule to ultimately enter actual devices being able to undergo closed cycles of solar light-harvesting, energy storage, and heat release.

Author

Mads Manso

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

University of Copenhagen

Anne Ugleholdt Petersen

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Zhihang Wang

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Paul Erhart

Chalmers, Physics, Materials and Surface Theory

Mogens Brondsted Nielsen

University of Copenhagen

Kasper Moth-Poulsen

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Nature Communications

2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)

Vol. 9 1 1945

Subject Categories

Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics

Other Physics Topics

Energy Systems

DOI

10.1038/s41467-018-04230-8

More information

Latest update

5/25/2022