Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System

Franz E, Stumm C, Waidhas F, Bertram M, Jevric M, Orrego-Hernández J, Hölzel H, Moth-Poulsen K, Brummel O, Libuda J (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Pages Range: 13418-13425

DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c03043

Abstract

Molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems open application fields for solar energy conversion as they combine conversion, storage, and release in one single molecule. For energy release, catalysts must be controllable, selective, and stable over many operation cycles. Here, we present a MOST/catalyst couple, which combines all these properties. We explore solar energy storage in a tailor-made MOST system (cyano-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-norbornadiene/quadricyclane; NBD′/QC′) and the energy release heterogeneously catalyzed at a Au(111) surface. By photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PEC-IRRAS) and scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that Au triggers the energy release with very high activity. Most remarkably, the release rate of the heterogeneously catalyzed process can be tuned by applying an external potential. Our durability tests show that the MOST/catalyst system is stable over 1000 storage cycles without any decomposition. The surface structure of the catalyst is preserved, and its activity decreases by only 0.1% per storage cycle.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Chalmers University of Technology / Chalmers tekniska högskola Sweden (SE)

How to cite

APA:

Franz, E., Stumm, C., Waidhas, F., Bertram, M., Jevric, M., Orrego-Hernández, J.,... Libuda, J. (2022). Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System. ACS Catalysis, 13418-13425. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.2c03043

MLA:

Franz, Evanie, et al. "Tunable Energy Release in a Reversible Molecular Solar Thermal System." ACS Catalysis (2022): 13418-13425.

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