Abstract
Azobenzene with its dye properties has been a key compound class in early chemical industry. Nowadays, azobenzenes experience an ever-increasing interest due to their ability as a photoswitch. Herein, its potential as molecular material for energy storage will be explored. For example, azobenzenes are investigated in the context of molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) systems. Additionally, they show promise to be featured in phase change materials (PCMs). Fundamental understanding of the structure-property relations of azobenzene present the basis for designing efficient materials for these purposes. A progress report.
Bio Blurb
Hermann A. Wegner studied Chemistry at the Georg-August University, Göttingen Germany, and Boston College, USA. He received his PhD at the Georg-August University, Göttingen Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Armin de Meijere with a research stay at Stanford University. After a Postdoc in the group of Prof. Dr. Sir Jack Baldwin at Oxford University, UK, he started his independent career at Basel University, Switzerland. In 2013 he moved to his current position as Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany. His research interests lay in the area of physical organic chemistry and its application to molecular materials.