Issue 23, 2022

A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C

Abstract

An optimal temperature is crucial for a broad range of applications, from chemical transformations, electronics, and human comfort, to energy production and our whole planet. Photochemical molecular thermal energy storage systems coupled with phase change behavior (MOST-PCMs) offer unique opportunities to capture energy and regulate temperature. Here, we demonstrate how a series of visible-light-responsive azopyrazoles couple MOST and PCMs to provide energy capture and release below 0 °C. The system is charged by blue light at −1 °C, and discharges energy in the form of heat under green light irradiation. High energy density (0.25 MJ kg−1) is realized through co-harvesting visible-light energy and thermal energy from the environment through phase transitions. Coatings on glass with photo-controlled transparency are prepared as a demonstration of thermal regulation. The temperature difference between the coatings and the ice cold surroundings is up to 22.7 °C during the discharging process. This study illustrates molecular design principles that pave the way for MOST-PCMs that can store natural sunlight energy and ambient heat over a wide temperature range.

Graphical abstract: A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
31 mars 2022
Accepted
15 mai 2022
First published
16 mai 2022
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 6950-6958

A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C

Z. Shangguan, W. Sun, Z. Zhang, D. Fang, Z. Wang, S. Wu, C. Deng, X. Huang, Y. He, R. Wang, T. Li, K. Moth-Poulsen and T. Li, Chem. Sci., 2022, 13, 6950 DOI: 10.1039/D2SC01873J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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