Light‐Harvesting Antennae using the Host–Guest Chemistry of Mesoporous Organosilica. Issue 3 (18th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cucinotta, Fabio; Jarman, Benjamin P.; Caplan, Calvin; Cooper, Sharon J.; Riggs, Helen J.; Martinelli, Jonathan; Djanashvili, Kristina; La Mazza, Emanuele; Puntoriero, Fausto
• Is Part Of: ChemPhotoChem. Volume 2:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2017-12-18
• Subjects: host–guest systems -- light harvesting -- luminescence -- mesoporous materials -- photonic antennae; Photochemistry -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 541.35
• DOI: 10.1002/cptc.201700144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2367-0932

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents two series of new host–guest chromophoric systems, where BODIPY dyes are organized into mesoporous silica. The dyes self‐assemble with surfactants to generate micellar templates that can direct the formation of the silica networks. The materials were characterized by means of small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to elucidate their structure, and by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy to determine their optical properties. Dye‐loaded COK‐12 materials retain an ordered structure and exhibit a green fluorescence that slightly red‐shifts and undergoes quenching as the dye loading increases. A second system is based on MCM‐41 silica and works as a polychromatic antenna, where a high energy species forms within the template and drive excitation energy transfer in timescales down to 20 ps. Such systems show promising performances for the realization of photonic antennae, to be used as sensitizers for solar cells and photocatalytic devices. Abstract : Light at the end of the channel ! Artificial photosystems can be prepared using the ability of amphiphilic dyes to self‐assemble and direct the formation of light‐harvesting silica particles (see picture). The structure and the optical properties of two new systems are presented, one of which reveals fast energy transfer throughout the silica channels in timescales down to 20 ps.