Sunlight-activated phase change materials for controlled heat storage and triggered release. Issue 15 (7th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shi, Yuran; Gerkman, Mihael A.; Qiu, Qianfeng; Zhang, Shuren; Han, Grace G. D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 15(2021)
• Page Start: 9798
• Page End: 9808
• Publication Date: 2021-04-07
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta01007g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Photo-responsive organic phase change materials that can absorb filtered solar radiation in the visible range to store both latent heat and photon energy are demonstrated. Abstract : We report the design of photo-responsive organic phase change materials that can absorb filtered solar radiation to store both latent heat and photon energy via simultaneous phase transition and photo-isomerization. The activation of photo-switches by long wavelengths ≥530 nm in the visible light range at a low irradiance is achieved, in the absence of high-intensity light sources, by the ortho -substitution of azobenzene units. The facile transition from crystalline to liquid phase is enabled by appending an aliphatic group on the photochromic moiety. The sunlight-activated liquid phase exhibits an exceptionally long heat storage without crystallization for nearly two months, and the release of energy is triggered by a short irradiation at 430 nm. The successful demonstration of photo-controlled latent heat storage accomplished by solar irradiation opens a new horizon on solar energy harvesting by functional organic materials, as a complementary system to photocatalysts and photovoltaic materials.