Photoswitchable molecules-based solar thermal energy storage system (MOST) can potentially be a route to store solar energy for future use. Herein, the use of a multijunction MOST device that combines various photoswitches with different onsets of absorption to push the efficiency limit on solar energy collection and storage is explored. With a parametric model calculation, it is shown that the efficiency limit of MOST concept can be improved from 13.0% to 18.2% with a double-junction system and to 20.5% with a triple-junction system containing ideal, red-shifted MOST candidates. As a proof-of-concept, the use of a three-layered MOST device is experimentally demonstrated. The device uses different photoswitches including a norbornadiene derivative, a dihydroazulene derivative, and an azobenzene derivative in liquid state with different MOSTproperties, to increase the energy capture and storage behavior. This conceptional device introduces a new way of thinking and designing optimal molecular candidates for MOST, as much improvement can be made by tailoring molecules to efficiently store solar energy at specific wavelengths.

中文翻译：

---

液基多结分子太阳能热能收集装置

基于光开关分子的太阳能热能储存系统 ( MOST ) 可能成为储存太阳能以备将来使用的途径。在此，探索了使用多结MOST器件，该器件结合了具有不同吸收起始的各种光开关，以推动太阳能收集和存储的效率极限。通过参数模型计算，表明MOST概念的效率极限可以从双结系统的 13.0% 提高到 18.2%，而包含理想的红移MOST候选者的三结系统可以提高到 20.5% 。作为概念验证，使用三层MOST设备进行了实验演示。该器件使用不同的光开关，包括具有不同MOST特性的液态降冰片二烯衍生物、二氢薁衍生物和偶氮苯衍生物，以增加能量捕获和存储行为。这种概念性装置引入了一种新的思维方式，并为MOST设计了最佳候选分子，因为可以通过定制分子以在特定波长下有效地存储太阳能来进行很多改进。