scholarly journals Co-harvesting Solar Energy with Ambient Heat and On-Demand Release of Thermal Energy Below 0 oC Through Visible-Light-Controlled Photochemical Phase Transitions of Azopyrazoles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhichun Shangguan ◽  
Wenjin Sun ◽  
Zhao-yang Zhang ◽  
Dong Fang ◽  
Si Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Thermal Batteries ◽  
Liquid Transition ◽  
532 Nm

Photochemical crystal-to-liquid transition generally needs UV light as a stimulus and it is even more challenging to carry out below 0 oC. Here, we design a series of 4-alkylthioarylazopyrazoles as molecular solar thermal batteries, which show bidirectional visible-light-triggered photochemical trans-crystal ↔ cis-liquid transitions below ice point (-1 oC). Through co-harvesting visible-light energy and low-temperature ambient heat, high energy density (0.25 MJ kg-1) is achieved. Further, the rechargeable solar thermal batteries devices are fabricated, which can be charged by blue light (400 nm) at -1 oC. Then, the charged devices can release energy on demand in the form of high-temperature heat. Under green light (532 nm) irradiation, the temperature difference between the charged devices and the ice-cold surrounding is up to 13.5 oC. This study paves the way for the design of advanced molecular solar thermal batteries that store both natural sunlight and ambient heat over a wide temperature range.

Experimental Characterization and Modeling of Photon Upconversion in Azobenzene Photomechanical Polymers

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadiyah Sabah Chowdhury ◽  
Catherine Kent ◽  
Sean P. Hill ◽  
Enric Baduell ◽  
Kenneth Hanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Photochemical Reactions ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Mechanical Work ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Azobenzene Polymer

Azobenzene polymers show promising photostrictive behavior for a broad range of applications in flow control, robotics, and energy harvesting applications. The conversion of solar energy directly into mechanical work provides unique capabilities in adaptive structures; however, the energy conversion of visible light into mechanical work presents several material chemistry challenges. Azobenzene strongly absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light and blue/green light which limits the efficiency of the photomechanical response under solar irradiation. Photon upconversion — combining two or more low energy photons (longer wavelength) to generate a higher energy excited state (shorter wavelength), provides an intriguing strategy to drive these high energy photochemical reactions with low energy light. We present an experimental study showing the feasibility to drive azobenzene photoisomerization using visible light via select up-conversion molecules in the fluidic state. Multi-physics modeling is then used to predict advances in photomechanical energy conversion when up-conversion molecules are introduced within an azobenzene polymer.

Efficient Co-Harvesting of Solar Energy and Low-Grade Heat by Molecular Photoswitches for High Energy Density, Long-Term Stable Solar Thermal Battery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thermal Battery ◽  
Low Grade Heat

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.

Efficient Co-Harvesting of Solar Energy and Low-Grade Heat by Molecular Photoswitches for High Energy Density, Long-Term Stable Solar Thermal Battery

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thermal Battery ◽  
Low Grade Heat

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.

scholarly journals Molecularly Engineered Azobenzene Derivatives for High Energy Density Solid-State Solar Thermal Fuels

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 8679-8687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene N. Cho ◽  
David Zhitomirsky ◽  
Grace G. D. Han ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Jeffrey C. Grossman
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Azobenzene Derivatives

scholarly journals Visible Light-Enabled Paternò-Büchi Reaction via Triplet Energy Transfer for the Synthesis of Oxetanes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Rykaczewski ◽  
Corinna Schindler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Cycloaddition Reaction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Triplet Energy ◽  
Reaction Conditions ◽  
Triplet Energy Transfer

<div> <p>One of the most efficient ways to synthesize oxetanes is the light-enabled [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of carbonyls and alkenes, referred to as the Paternò-Büchi reaction. The reaction conditions for this transformation typically require the use of high energy UV light to excite the carbonyl, limiting the applications, safety, and scalability. We herein report the development of a visible light-mediated Paternò-Büchi reaction protocol that relies on triplet energy transfer from an iridium-based photocatalyst to the carbonyl substrates. This mode of activation is demonstrated for a variety of aryl glyoxylates and negates the need for both, visible light-absorbing carbonyl starting materials or UV light to enable access to a variety of functionalized oxetanes in up to 99% yield.</p> </div> <br>

scholarly journals Visible-Light Photoswitching of G-Quadruplex Ligand Binding Mode Allows Reversible Control of G-Tetrad Structure

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O'Hagan ◽  
Javier Ramos Soriano ◽  
Susanta Haldar ◽  
Juan Carlos Morales ◽  
Adrian Mulholland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Robust Regulation

<div><p>Photoresponsive ligands for G-quadruplex oligonucleotides (G4) offer exciting opportunities for the reversible regulation of these assemblies with potential applications in biological chemistry and responsive nanotechnology. However, achieving the robust regulation of G4 ligand activity with low-energy visible light sources that are easily accessible and compatible with biological systems remains a significant challenge to realizing these applications. Herein, we report the G4-binding properties of a photoresponsive dithienylethene (DTE). We demonstrate the first example of G4-specific acceleration of the photoswitching kinetics of a small molecule and the visible-light mediated switching of the G4 ligand binding mode in physiologically-relevant conditions, which in turn allows control over the G4 tetrad structure of telomeric G4 in potassium buffer. The process is fully reversible and avoids the need for high-energy UV light. This affords an efficient, practical and biologically-relevant means of control that may be applied in the generation of new responsive G4/ligand supramolecular systems.</p></div><br>

A high energy density azobenzene/graphene hybrid: a nano-templated platform for solar thermal storage

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (22) ◽  
pp. 11787-11795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Luo ◽  
Yiyu Feng ◽  
Chen Cao ◽  
Man Li ◽  
Enzuo Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
High Energy Density

A high functionalization density and inter-planar bundling interaction remarkably improve both the storage capacity and lifetime of solar thermal fuels using an azobenzene/graphene nano-template.

PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NITROGEN AND FLUORINE CO-DOPED TITANIUM DIOXIDE PREPARED USING OF VARIOUS PH SOLUTIONS

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (15n16) ◽  
pp. 3242-3247 ◽  
Author(s):  
MASAHIRO KATOH ◽  
AKIHIRO IMAYAMA ◽  
NARISUKE MORI ◽  
TOSHIHIDE HORIKAWA ◽  
TAHEI TOMIDA
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Photocatalytic Activity ◽  
Visible Light ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Anatase Phase ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Light Irradiation ◽  
Mixed Solution ◽  
Co Doped

Introducing different atoms into TiO 2 crystal lattice is a famous method to improve photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 under visible-light irradiation. In this paper, Nitrogen ( N ) and fluorine ( F ) co -doped TiO 2 powders were prepared by mixing TiCl 3 solutions with ammonium fluoride ( NH 4 F ). In preparation, we used NH 3- H 2 O solution for adjustment of pH values (pH 2, 7, and 9) of mixed solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated N , F - TiO 2 powders prepared at pH7 and pH9 contained only anatase phase, but the powders prepared at pH2 contained both anatase and rutile phase. The result of XRD also indicated N , F - TiO 2 powders prepared at pH7 had the smallest crystallite size. We measured photocatalytic activity of prepared N , F - TiO 2 powders by the decomposition of methylene blue. N , F - TiO 2 powder prepared at pH7 and pH9 showed same high photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation (peak wave length = 352 nm). Furthermore, under green light LED irradiation (wave length = 525 nm), a sample prepared at pH7 decomposed methylene blue more quickly than any other samples. As the result, N , F - TiO 2 prepared at pH7 had the best catalytic activity under both UV-light and visible light in the all of N , F - TiO 2 prepared and reference TiO 2 photocatalyst (ST-01 produced by Ishihara Co. Ltd).

scholarly journals Ultraviolet and green receptors in principal eyes of jumping spiders.

1975 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
R D De Voe
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Intracellular Recording ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Jumping Spider ◽  
Jumping Spiders ◽  
532 Nm

Spectral sensitivities of cells in principal eyes of the jumping spider Phidippus reqius were measured using techniques of intracellular recording. Three types of cells were found. UV cells had peak sensitivities at 370 nm and were over 4 log units less sensitive at wavelengths longer than 460 nm. Green-sensitive cells had spectral sensitivities which were well fit by nomogram curves peaking at 532 nm. UV-green cells had dual peaks of sensitivity at about 370 and 525 nm, but the ratios of UV-to-green sensitivities varied over a 40: 1 range from cell to cell. Moreover, responses of UV-green cells to flashes of UV light were slower than to flashes of green light. Segregation of receptor types into the known layers of receptors in these eyes could not be shown. It is concluded that jumping spiders have the potential for dichromatic color vision.

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