Electrochemically Triggered Energy Release from an Azothiophene-Based Molecular Solar Thermal System

Franz E, Kunz A, Oberhof N, Heindl AH, Bertram M, Fusek L, Taccardi N, Wasserscheid P, Dreuw A, Wegner HA, Brummel O, Libuda J (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Chemsuschem Wiley-VCH Verlag

DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202200958

Abstract

Molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release in simple one-photon one-molecule processes. Here, we address the electrochemically triggered energy release from an azothiophene-based MOST system by photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PEC-IRRAS) and density functional theory (DFT). Specifically, the electrochemically triggered back-reaction from the energy rich (Z)-3-cyanophenylazothiophene to its energy lean (E)-isomer using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as the working electrode was studied. Theory predicts that two reaction channels are accessible, an oxidative one (hole-catalyzed) and a reductive one (electron-catalyzed). Experimentally it was found that the photo-isomer decomposes during hole-catalyzed energy release. Electrochemically triggered back-conversion was possible, however, through the electron-catalyzed reaction channel. The reaction rate could be tuned by the electrode potential within two orders of magnitude. It was shown that the MOST system withstands 100 conversion cycles without detectable decomposition of the photoswitch. After 100 cycles, the photochemical conversion was still quantitative and the electrochemically triggered back-reaction reached 94 % of the original conversion level.

Authors with CRIS profile

Evanie Franz Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Manon Bertram Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Lukáš Fusek Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Nicola Taccardi Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik Peter Wasserscheid Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik Olaf Brummel Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung Jörg Libuda Lehrstuhl für Katalytische Grenzflächenforschung

Involved external institutions

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen DE Germany (DE) Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Franz, E., Kunz, A., Oberhof, N., Heindl, A.H., Bertram, M., Fusek, L.,... Libuda, J. (2022). Electrochemically Triggered Energy Release from an Azothiophene-Based Molecular Solar Thermal System. Chemsuschem. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202200958

MLA:

Franz, Evanie, et al. "Electrochemically Triggered Energy Release from an Azothiophene-Based Molecular Solar Thermal System." Chemsuschem (2022).

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