Solar‐Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage Using Photoresponsive Azobenzene‐Containing Polymers

Abstract Photoswitchable compounds are promising materials for solar‐thermal energy conversion and storage. In particular, photoresponsive azobenzene‐containing compounds are proposed as materials for solar‐thermal fuels. In this feature article, solar‐thermal fuels based on azobenzene‐containing polymers (azopolymers) are reviewed. The mechanism of azopolymer‐based solar‐thermal fuels is introduced, and computer simulations and experimental results on azopolymer‐based solar‐thermal fuels are highlighted. Different types of azopolymers such as linear azopolymers, 2D azopolymers, and conjugated azopolymers are addressed. The advantages and limitations of these azopolymers for solar‐thermal energy conversion and storage, along with the remaining challenges of azopolymer‐based solar‐thermal fuels, are discussed.