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- Manso, Mads, 1991, et al.
(författare)
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Donor-Acceptor Substituted Benzo-, Naphtho- and Phenanthro-Fused Norbornadienes
- 2020
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Ingår i: Molecules. - : MDPI AG. - 1420-3049 .- 1420-3049. ; 25:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The photochromic norbornadiene/quadricyclane (NBD/QC) couple has found interest as a molecular solar thermal energy (MOST) system for storage of solar energy. To increase the energy difference between the two isomers, we present here the synthesis of a selection of benzo-fused NBD derivatives that contain an aromatic unit, benzene, naphthalene or phenanthrene, fused to one of the NBD double bonds, while the carbon atoms of the other double bond are functionalized with donor and acceptor groups. The synthesis protocols involve functionalization of benzo-fused NBDs with bromo/chloro substituents followed by a subjection of these intermediates to a cyanation reaction (introducing a cyano acceptor group) followed by a Sonogashira coupling (introducing an arylethynyl donor group, -CCC6H4NMe2 or -CCC6H4OMe). While the derivatives have good absorption properties in the visible region (redshifted relative to parent system) in the context of MOST applications, they lack the ability to undergo NBD-to-QC photoisomerization, even in the presence of a photosensitizer. It seems that loss of aromaticity of the fused aromatics is too significant to allow photoisomerization to occur. The concept of destroying aromaticity of a neighboring moiety as a way to enhance the energy density of the NBD/QC couple thus needs further structural modifications, in the quest for optimum MOST systems.
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| 2. |
- Wang, Zhihang, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Chasing the rainbow: Exploiting photosensitizers to drive photoisomerization reactions
- 2023
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Ingår i: Responsive Materials. - 2834-8966 .- 2834-8966. ; 1:2
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Photoswitchable molecules have garnered considerable attention for their versatility and diverse applications, spanning from solar energy harvesting and storage to drug delivery and molecular motors. The chemical conversions that make photoswitches a desirable system are driven by specific wavelengths of light, which often demand intricate molecular modifications. An alternative approach to achieve the photoisomerization reaction is through energy transfer with photosensitizers. Photosensitizers play a pivotal role in various light-induced processes and have demonstrated successful applications in photodynamic therapy, dye-sensitized solar cells, and activating photochemical reactions. Therefore, combining photoswitching systems with sensitizers presents an attractive alternative for advancing light-responsive material design and enabling innovative light-controlled technologies. This review summarizes the energy transfer mechanisms and strategies involved in sensitized molecular photoswitchable systems, emphasizing the performance of various combined systems, and potential applications. Furthermore, recent advances and emerging trends in this field are also discussed, offering insights into prospective future directions for the development of light-responsive materials.
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| 3. |
- Wang, Zhihang, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Hybrid solar energy device for simultaneous electric power generation and molecular solar thermal energy storage
- 2024
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Ingår i: Joule. - 2542-4351. ; In Press
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The performance of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells can be adversely affected by the heat generated from solar irradiation. To address this issue, a hybrid device featuring a solar energy storage and cooling layer integrated with a silicon-based PV cell has been developed. This layer employs a molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage system to convert and store high-energy photons—typically underutilized by solar cells due to thermalization losses—into chemical energy. Simultaneously, it effectively cools the PV cell through both optical effects and thermal conductivity. Herein, it was demonstrated that up to 2.3% of solar energy could be stored as chemical energy. Additionally, the integration of the MOST system with the PV cell resulted in a notable decrease in the cell's surface temperature by approximately 8°C under standard solar irradiation conditions. The hybrid system demonstrated a solar utilization efficiency of 14.9%, underscoring its potential to achieve even greater efficiencies in forthcoming advanced hybrid PV solar energy systems.
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