Novel organic solar thermal energy storage materials: efficient visible light-driven reversible solid–liquid phase transition

Solar-thermal energy conversion and storage are one promising solution to directly and efficiently harvest energy from solar radiation. We reported novel organic photothermal conversion-thermal storage materials (OPTCMs) displaying a rapid visible light-harvesting, light-thermal conversion and solid–liquid phase transition thermal energy storage characteristic for solar energy, which is promoted by a dye as an effective “photon capturer and molecular heater” for direct and efficient use of solar radiation.