RESUMEN
Thermocells are a thermoelectric conversion technology that utilizes the shift in an electrochemical equilibrium arising from a temperature difference. This technology has a long history; however, its low conversion efficiency impedes its practical usage. Recently, an increasing number of reports have shown drastic improvements in thermoelectric conversion efficiency, and thermocells could arguably represent an alternative to solid thermoelectric devices. In this Minireview, we regard thermocells as molecular systems consisting of successive molecular processes responding to a temperature change to achieve energy generation. Various molecular technologies have been applied to thermocells in recent years, and could stimulate diverse research fields, including supramolecular chemistry, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, and solid-state ionics. These research approaches will also provide novel methods for achieving a sustainable society in the future.
RESUMEN
A series of σ-π extended octamethyltetrasilanes, which have phenothiazine, 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine, or phenoxazine (1, 2, and 3) groups as donor moieties and thienopyrazine or benzothiadiazole (a and b) groups as acceptor fragments, has been prepared, and their optical properties have been studied as an extension of our work. All six compounds exhibited fluorescence in the solid state with maximum wavelengths centered in the range of 400 and 650 nm upon excitation by a UV lamp. Compound 2b showed apparent dual emission behavior in solution, which depends on solvent polarity, and a reversible photoluminescent change under mechanical and thermal stimuli in the solid state. Quantum chemical calculations suggest the contribution of a quasi-axial conformer of the 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine moiety in 2b to the dual emission in solution and the mechanofluoroluminescence in the solid state, similarly to 1a. These studies provide new insight into the preparation of disilane-bridged triads capable of responding to multiple stimuli.