D-Dev: Exploring MOST Systems for/in Devices

• Applicant: Dr. Helen Hölzel
• Subject Area: Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 496207555

The application of the MOST (Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage) technology demands comprehending the behavior of MOST materials, for and in devices, and to investigate the overall performance of the system. We will explore the characteristics of the mostophores, physicochemical properties, mechanisms, the integration into established devices, as well as the possibility for optimization. We will focus on the fundamental understanding required to develop future device technologies with a molecular-driven background and to elucidate structure-property relationships between mostophores and devices. To this aim, we will start with initial studies of the mostophores for and in flow, as well as upscaling (work package 1). We will proceed with the integration of mostophores into liquid-state devices, and the investigation of (electro)catalysis for the back-reaction (work package 2), as well as the testing for and in solid-state MOST, and heat-to-power devices (work package 3). We will intensively study the behavior of mostophores in flow combined with in-line monitoring/analysis to receive e.g. data on the kinetics of the reactions. The combination of flow with electrocatalysis will allow us to study a newly triggered back-conversion, and we will investigate the possibility of recyclability, reusability of the catalysts and electrodes, and cleaning procedures for a more sustainable process. We will study the devices under simulated solar or real-life conditions with our outdoor setup, which will generate more realistic data. The project will target three main research aspects: (i) What is the behavior of MOST materials and what are the important aspects (e.g., conversion and back-conversion) when it comes to integration into devices, and how is that influenced by the boundary conditions of the device? (ii) How can the material be integrated into established devices (liquid and solid) to study the performance of the MOST material, how is the performance influenced, what are the structure/property relations connected with the device, and how does the overall setup behave under working conditions: overall performance, efficiency, and stability? (iii) How can we develop established devices further (heat-to-X transfer) – by modifying the devices, and by using optimized mostophores from the project? Our project will play a key role in FOR MOST by providing fundamental insights into molecular performance for and in devices, creating an overview of structure/property relationships, and therefore laying the foundation for continuous development and optimization of mostophores for devices. Exploration of different mostophores available in FOR MOST will enrich and push forward the device design and construction of optimized future MOST-devices and finding the most promising mostophore/device couples.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5499: Molecular Solar Energy Management - Chemistry of MOST Systems
• International Connection: Spain
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Kasper Moth-Poulsen