A liquid azobenzene derivative as a solvent-free solar thermal fuel

Abstract

A liquid solar thermal fuel is developed; a low-molecular weight liquid trans-azobenzene derivative shows facile photoisomerization to the higher-energy cis-isomer in neat condition so that a high volumetric energy density is achieved. Shear viscosity measurements for each isomer liquid unveiled transitions from non-Newtonian to Newtonian fluids.