An energy-dense and thermal-stable bis-azobenzene/hybrid templated assembly for solar thermal fuel. Issue 21 (13th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Wei; Li, Shipei; Li, Man; Qin, Chengqun; Feng, Yiyu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 21(2016)
• Page Start: 8020
• Page End: 8028
• Publication Date: 2016-04-13
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ta00221h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A bis-azobenzene/hybrid assembly combining high energy density, high power density and tunable heat release was presented. Abstract : Designing an energy-dense and thermal-stable photo-isomerizable chromophore/hybrid template is a challenge for devising a highly customizable solar-heat conversion and storage technology. This study presents the templated assembly of close-packed 2-chloro-4, 6-bis(4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenoxy)-1, 3, 5-triazine (bis-azobenzene chromophores) covalently bound to reduced graphene oxide (RGO-bis-Azo). The steric configuration and energy of bis-Azo ( trans - and cis -isomers), calculated by density functional theory, are influenced by intra- and inter-molecular steric hindrance due to high grafting density and the bundling effect. This results in a dramatic increase in enthalpy and activation energy of the isomerization. The RGO-bis-Azo hybrid combines a high energy density of 80 W h kg −1, the maximum power density of 2230 W kg −1 and a tunable heat release time from 2 min to 5520 h. These findings pave the way for developing a chromophore/hybrid template for solar thermal fuel by optimizing molecular interaction.