An Artificial Light‐Harvesting System with Controllable Efficiency Enabled by an Annulene‐Based Anisotropic Fluid. Issue 16 (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Zhen; Bisoyi, Hari Krishna; Chen, Xu‐Man; Nie, Zhen‐Zhou; Wang, Meng; Yang, Hong; Li, Quan
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 61:Issue 16(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: Aggregation-Induced Emission -- Light-Harvesting System -- Liquid Crystal -- Supramolecular Self-Assembly -- Tunable Antenna Effect; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200466
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: The development of controllable artificial light‐harvesting systems based on liquid crystal (LC) materials, i.e., anisotropic fluids, remains a challenge. Herein, an annulene‐based discotic LC compound 6 with a saddle‐shaped cyclooctatetrathiophene core has been synthesized to construct a tunable light‐harvesting platform. The LC material shows a typical aggregation‐induced emission, which can act as a suitable light‐harvesting donor. By loading Nile red (NiR) as an acceptor, an artificial light‐harvesting system is achieved. Relying on the thermal‐responsive self‐assembling ability of 6 with variable molecular order, the efficiency of such 6 ‐NiR system can be controlled by temperature. This light‐harvesting system works sensitively at a high donor/acceptor ratio as 1000 : 1, and exhibits a high antenna effect (39.1) at a 100 : 1 donor/acceptor ratio. This thermochromic artificial light‐harvesting LC system could find potential applications in smart devices employing soft materials. Abstract : An annulene‐based discotic liquid crystal (LC) material to construct a tunable light‐harvesting platform is developed. Relying on the thermal‐responsive self‐assembling ability of the LC molecule with variable molecular order, the efficiency of the light‐harvesting system can be controlled at different temperatures when Nile red is introduced as an acceptor. This system exhibits a high antenna effect (39.1) at a 100 : 1 donor/acceptor ratio.