Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage Using Photoresponsive Azobenzene-Containing Polymers

Photoswitchable compounds are promising materials for solar-thermal energy conversion and storage. In particular, photoresponsive azobenzene-containing compounds are proposed as materials for solar-thermal fuels. In this feature article, solar-thermal fuels based on azobenzene-containing polymers (azopolymers) are reviewed. The mechanism of azopolymer-based solar-thermal fuels is introduced, and computer simulations and experimental results on azopolymer-based solar-thermal fuels are highlighted. Different types of azopolymers such as linear azopolymers, 2D azopolymers, and conjugated azopolymers are addressed. The advantages and limitations of these azopolymers for solar-thermal energy conversion and storage, along with the remaining challenges of azopolymer-based solar-thermal fuels, are discussed.