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Molecular Engineering of Vibronic Coupling Enables High-Temperature Solar-Thermal Conversion in an Organic Material
He Xu1, Yuhan Liu2, Xusheng Jiang1
1State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed BTDyA, a novel organic material for high-temperature solar-thermal conversion. This material achieves record temperatures, offering advancements in solar energy harvesting and thermal storage applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Organic materials for solar-thermal conversion are typically limited to moderate temperatures.
- Efficient solar energy harvesting requires materials that can withstand high temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel organic material (BTDyA) for high-temperature solar-thermal conversion.
- To investigate the photothermal mechanisms and high-temperature performance of BTDyA.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of BTDyA by bridging triphenylamine donors with a thiadiazolo-benzotriazole acceptor via ethynyl linkages.
- Characterization using transient absorption and photoinduced Raman spectroscopies.
- Testing under concentrated outdoor sunlight and 1064 nm laser irradiation.
Main Results:
- BTDyA exhibits high molar absorption coefficient and broadband solid-state absorption.
- Achieved a record temperature of 330°C under concentrated sunlight and 377°C under laser irradiation.
- Demonstrated ultrafast nonradiative decay and significant vibronic activation for efficient heat conversion.
Conclusions:
- BTDyA is a promising organic material for high-temperature solar-thermal applications.
- The design principles enhance photon-to-heat conversion efficiency by suppressing radiative losses.
- Findings pave the way for advanced solar energy harvesting and thermal storage technologies.
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