Visible light-responsive azo-based smart materials: Design, performance, and applications in energy storage

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Azobenzene derivatives are key molecular photoswitches, enabling reversible transformations between trans and cis isomers upon light irradiation.
• Current photoswitches often require UV light, limiting applications in visible or near-infrared spectrum.
• Visible-light responsiveness offers benefits like improved biocompatibility and solar energy efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of visible-light responsive azo-based materials.
• To cover molecular design strategies for these materials.
• To highlight applications in energy storage and recent performance enhancement efforts.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of materials based on energy storage improvement strategies: direct isomerization energy increase and phase transition energy introduction.
• Review of molecular design principles for visible-light responsive azo compounds.
• Analysis of recent advancements in azo-based energy storage materials.

Main Results:

• Visible-light responsive azo materials are being developed for smart applications.
• Strategies to enhance energy storage performance include increasing isomerization or phase transition energy.
• Significant progress has been made in improving the performance of these materials.

Conclusions:

• Visible-light responsive azo-based materials hold promise for advanced energy storage solutions.
• Further research into molecular design and energy storage mechanisms is crucial.
• Challenges and opportunities exist for future exploration in this field.