[18p-211A-1~17] 12.3 Functional Materials and Novel Devices

[18p-211A-1] [Young Scientist Presentation Award Speech] Molecular Solar Energy Storage and Thermal release of Photochlomic Terarylene

〇Ryosuke Asato^1,2, Calupitan Jan Patrick³, Takuya Nakashima¹, Jiang Jyh-Chiang⁴, Tsuyoshi Kawai¹ (1.NAIST, 2.Toulouse Univ., 3.Paris-Saclay Univ., 4.NTUST)

Keywords:Photo-thermal conversion, MOST, Molecular material

Solutions for efficient solar energy conversion and storage are crucial for the development of a sustainable society. Currently available technologies rely on silicon-based photovoltaic devices (solar cells) that convert solar energy to electric potential for storage in batteries. An alternative technology is storing solar energy as latent chemical energy in chemical bonds by photo-induced isomerization, so-called molecular solar thermal (MOST) Energy Storage. This uses ultraviolet radiation which is underutilized in silicon-based photovoltaics. We recently developed new molecular materials based on photochromic terarylenes which could improve storage efficiency. We estimated solar-chemical energy conversion efficiencies over 30%. The release of energy is archive with an auto(electro)catalytic cycloreversion process which triggered by redox agents or electrochemical stimuli. Our terarylene molecule indicated ultra-efficient cycloreversion reaction via the chain elect ron transfer reaction with amplification efficiency over 5000%. This opens up new frontiers for storing and releasing energy in MOST devices.