A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C

Zhichun Shangguan; Wenjin Sun; Zhao-Yang Zhang; Dong Fang; Zhihang Wang; Si Wu; Chao Deng; Xianhui Huang; Yixin He; Ruzhu Wang; Tingxian Li; Kasper Moth-Poulsen; Tao Li

doi:10.1039/D2SC01873J

A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C†

Zhichun Shangguan,

^a Wenjin Sun,^a Zhao-Yang Zhang,

^a Dong Fang,^a Zhihang Wang,

^b Si Wu,^c Chao Deng,^d Xianhui Huang,^a Yixin He,^a Ruzhu Wang,

^c Tingxian Li,

^c Kasper Moth-Poulsen

*^bef and Tao Li

*^a

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Aging, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
E-mail: litao1983@sjtu.edu.cn

^b Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg 41296, Sweden
E-mail: kasper.moth-poulsen@chalmers.se

^c Research Center of Solar Power & Refrigeration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

^d College of Chemistry & Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang, China

^e The Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

^f Catalan Institution for Research & Advanced Studies, ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain

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.

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A rechargeable molecular solar thermal system below 0 °C†

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