Molecular Semiconductor Surfactants with Fullerenol Heads and Colored Tails for Carbon Dioxide Photoconversion. Issue 44 (12th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kunkel, Marius; Sutter, Sebastian; Polarz, Sebastian
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 58:Issue 44(2019)
• Page Start: 15620
• Page End: 15625
• Publication Date: 2019-08-12
• Subjects: artificial leaves -- CO2 utilization -- fullerenes -- photocatalysis -- surfactants; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201905410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The leaf is a prime example of a material converting waste (CO2 ) into value with maximum sustainability. As the most important constituent, it contains the coupled photosystems II and I, which are imbedded in the cellular membrane of the chloroplasts. Can key functions of the leaf be packed into soap? We present next‐generation surfactants that self‐assemble into bilayer vesicles (similar to the cellular membrane), are able to absorb photons of two different visible wavelengths, and exchange excited charge carriers (similar to the photosystems), followed by conversion of CO2 (in analogy to the leaf). The amphiphiles contain five dye molecules as the hydrophobic entity attached exclusively to one hemisphere of a polyhydroxylated fullerene (Janus‐type). We herein report on their surfactant, optical, electronic, and catalytic properties. Photons absorbed by the dyes are transferred to the fullerenol head, where they can react with different species such as CO2 to give formic acid. Abstract : Photosynthesis with soap : Surfactants consisting of dye molecules and a polyhydroxylated fullerene self‐assemble into bilayer vesicles that mimic key functions of photosystems II and I. They can absorb photons of two different visible wavelengths, exchange excited charge carriers, and thus enable the conversion of CO2 into formic acid.