# Solar thermal fuels: azobenzene as a cyclic photon–heat transduction platform

## TL;DR

This paper reviews azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels, analyzing their development and challenges to guide future advancements in converting light to heat.

## Contribution

The paper provides a systematic comparative analysis of four azobenzene-based fuel systems to identify limitations and future directions.

## Key findings

- Azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels show promise but face practical implementation challenges.
- Comparative analysis reveals developmental trajectories and key limitations of four fuel systems.
- Strategic pathways for future advancements in the field are proposed based on the analysis.

## Abstract

Azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels have undergone significant advancements over the past four decades, emerging as a promising technology for light-to-thermal energy conversion. While these materials exhibit considerable development potential, critical challenges remain that hinder their practical implementation. In this perspective, we systematically analyze four representative azobenzene-based solar thermal fuel systems including nanocarbon-hybrid, conjugated polymer, linear polymer, and small-molecule derivative formulations to trace their developmental trajectories and identify key limitations. Through this comparative analysis, we aim to clarify the current state of azobenzene-based solar thermal fuels, while mapping strategic pathways for future technological advancements in this rapidly evolving research field.