Towards sustainable heterogenous catalysis in molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST) systems
type: CreativeWork
description: This doctoral thesis focuses on triggering the back-reaction in MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage systems using heterogenous catalysts. The MOST system consists of a pair of organic switchable molecules which can capture solar radiation, can store the energy within its chemical bonds and release the energy when required in the form of heat. The MOST molecules explored belong to a well-investigated isomeric couple known as norbornadiene (NBD) and quadricyclane (QC). Despite the recent resurgence in MOST systems, triggering the back-reaction utilising heterogenous catalysts remains scarcely investigated. This thesis is divided into two introductory chapters, four principal chapters and a concluding chapter. The first chapter introduces the present state of affairs, the climate scenario, the sun’s influence on proceedings and the ways we are attempting to harness sunlight and transform it into renewable energy. In the second chapter concentrates on the concept of photoswitchable molecules and their integration within the MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage concept. A review of the most relevant literature of photoswitches, especially relating to the class of NBD/QC molecules is undertaken, concerning their history, synthetic design strategies applied and their applications. This review is intended to serve as a reference for the subsequent chapters. In the third chapter, the development of catalytic materials for the eventual heat release occurring from the QC to NBD back-reaction is embarked upon. The synthesis, characterization and experimental screening of sets of heterogenous catalysts are conducted on a well-investigated NBD/QC pair. The design and evaluation of an efficient catalyst trigger for the QC to NBD back-reaction is discussed. In the fourth chapter, catalyst materials and the NBD/QC photoswitch are synthesised in larger scales to perform catalytic reactions in flow conditions. The aim of this chapter was to determine the ideal physi…
abstract: This doctoral thesis focuses on triggering the back-reaction in MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage systems using heterogenous catalysts. The MOST system consists of a pair of organic switchable molecules which can capture solar radiation, can store the energy within its chemical bonds and release the energy when required in the form of heat. The MOST molecules explored belong to a well-investigated isomeric couple known as norbornadiene (NBD) and quadricyclane (QC). Despite the recent resurgence in MOST systems, triggering the back-reaction utilising heterogenous catalysts remains scarcely investigated. This thesis is divided into two introductory chapters, four principal chapters and a concluding chapter. The first chapter introduces the present state of affairs, the climate scenario, the sun’s influence on proceedings and the ways we are attempting to harness sunlight and transform it into renewable energy. In the second chapter concentrates on the concept of photoswitchable molecules and their integration within the MOlecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage concept. A review of the most relevant literature of photoswitches, especially relating to the class of NBD/QC molecules is undertaken, concerning their history, synthetic design strategies applied and their applications. This review is intended to serve as a reference for the subsequent chapters. In the third chapter, the development of catalytic materials for the eventual heat release occurring from the QC to NBD back-reaction is embarked upon. The synthesis, characterization and experimental screening of sets of heterogenous catalysts are conducted on a well-investigated NBD/QC pair. The design and evaluation of an efficient catalyst trigger for the QC to NBD back-reaction is discussed. In the fourth chapter, catalyst materials and the NBD/QC photoswitch are synthesised in larger scales to perform catalytic reactions in flow conditions. The aim of this chapter was to determine the ideal physi…
author: Magson, Elliot Maxime Lucien
language: eng
date published: 2024
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:27:07Z
provider: Dialnet
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Universidad de La Rioja (España)