Abstract
The exploitation of sunlight as a clean, renewable, and distributed energy source is key to facing the energetic demand of modern society in a sustainable and affordable fashion. In the past few decades, chemists have learned to make molecular machines, that is, synthetic chemical systems in which energy inputs cause controlled movements of molecular components that could be used to perform a task. A variety of artificial molecular machines operated by light have been constructed by implementing photochemical processes within appropriately designed (supra)molecular assemblies. These studies could open up new routes for the realization of nanostructured devices and materials capable to harness, convert, and store light energy.
Highlights
In our macroscopic world, we make large use of mechanical machines
A typical example is an electrically powered pump employed to transfer a mass of water uphill; the electrical energy input is converted into mechanical work, which in its turn is transformed in gravitational potential energy
Since all molecular machines are fueled by an energy source, the management of energy for example, its storage, retrieval, and conversion between different forms is an obvious and most desirable function
Summary
We make large use of mechanical machines. These devices can do mechanical work, by means of controlled movements performed upon supplying energy from a source, which is typically a fuel (i.e., chemical) or electricity. Satisfied by light because photons are capable of triggering endergonic transformations in the system, and at the same time, their interaction with the latter can provide information on its state (e.g., with spectroscopic methods).[16,17] This is true in nature, where living systems utilize sunlight photons as both energy quanta in photosynthesis and as information elements in vision-related processes.[18]. This short review is aimed at highlighting the potential of artificial molecular machines to harvest, convert, and utilize light energy to perform tasks. Limitations, open problems, and future directions are discussed in the final part
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