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Glaser F, Schmitz M, Kerzig C. Coulomb interactions for mediator-enhanced sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion in solution. NANOSCALE 2023; 16:123-137. [PMID: 38054748 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05265f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion offers an attractive possibility to replace a high-energy photon by two photons with lower energy through the combination of a light-harvesting triplet sensitizer and an annihilator for the formation of a fluorescent singlet state. Typically, high annihilator concentrations are required to achieve an efficient initial energy transfer and as a direct consequence the most highly energetic emission is often not detectable due to intrinsic reabsorption by the annihilator itself. Herein, we demonstrate that the addition of a charge-adapted mediator drastically improves the energy transfer efficiency at low annihilator concentrations via an energy transfer cascade. Inspired by molecular dyads and recent developments in nanocrystal-sensitized upconversion, our system exploits a concept to minimize intrinsic filter effects, while boosting the upconversion quantum yield in solution. A sensitizer-annihilator combination consisting of a ruthenium-based complex and 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) is explored as model system and a sulfonated pyrene serves as mediator. The impact of opposite charges between sensitizer and mediator - to induce coulombic attraction and subsequently result in accelerated energy transfer rate constants - is analyzed in detail by different spectroscopic methods. Ion pairing and the resulting static energy transfer in both directions is a minor process, resulting in an improved overall performance. Finally, the more intense upconverted emission in the presence of the mediator is used to drive two catalytic photoreactions in a two-chamber setup, illustrating the advantages of our approach, in particular for photoreactions requiring oxygen that would interfere with the upconversion system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Glaser
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Christoph Kerzig
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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Zähringer TJB, Moghtader JA, Bertrams MS, Roy B, Uji M, Yanai N, Kerzig C. Blue-to-UVB Upconversion, Solvent Sensitization and Challenging Bond Activation Enabled by a Benzene-Based Annihilator. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202215340. [PMID: 36398891 PMCID: PMC10108172 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202215340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Several energy-demanding photoreactions require harsh UV light from inefficient light sources. The conversion of low-energy visible light to high-energy singlet states via triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) could offer a solution for driving such reactions under mild conditions. We present the first annihilator with an emission maximum in the UVB region that, combined with an organic sensitizer, is suitable for blue-to-UVB upconversion. The annihilator singlet was successfully employed as an energy donor in subsequent FRET activations of aliphatic carbonyls. This hitherto unreported UC-FRET reaction sequence was directly monitored using laser spectroscopy and applied to mechanistic irradiation experiments demonstrating the feasibility of Norrish chemistry. Our results provide clear evidence for a novel blue light-driven substrate or solvent activation strategy, which is important in the context of developing more sustainable light-to-chemical energy conversion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till J B Zähringer
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julian A Moghtader
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria-Sophie Bertrams
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bibhisan Roy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Masanori Uji
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Yanai
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Christoph Kerzig
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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Cao X, Pan K, Miao J, Lv X, Huang Z, Ni F, Yin X, Wei Y, Yang C. Manipulating Exciton Dynamics toward Simultaneous High-Efficiency Narrowband Electroluminescence and Photon Upconversion by a Selenium-Incorporated Multiresonance Delayed Fluorescence Emitter. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:22976-22984. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Ke Pan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Jingsheng Miao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Xialei Lv
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Zhongyan Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Fan Ni
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Xiaojun Yin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
| | - Yaxiong Wei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Optoelectric Materials Science and Technology, School of Physics and Electronic Information, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu241000, China
| | - Chuluo Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, China
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Gudem M, Kowalewski M. Triplet-triplet Annihilation Dynamics of Naphthalene. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200781. [PMID: 35612412 PMCID: PMC9401077 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) is a spin-allowed conversion of two triplet states into one singlet excited state, which provides an efficient route to generate a photon of higher frequency than the incident light. Multiple energy transfer steps between absorbing (sensitizer) and emitting (annihilator) molecular species are involved in the TTA based photon upconversion process. TTA compounds have recently been studied for solar energy applications, even though the maximum upconversion efficiency of 50 % is yet to be achieved. With the aid of quantum calculations and based on a few key requirements, several design principles have been established to develop the well-functioning annihilators. However, a complete molecular level understanding of triplet fusion dynamics is still missing. In this work, we have employed multi-reference electronic structure methods along with quantum dynamics to obtain a detailed and fundamental understanding of TTA mechanism in naphthalene. Our results suggest that the TTA process in naphthalene is mediated by conical intersections. In addition, we have explored the triplet fusion dynamics under the influence of strong light-matter coupling and found an increase of the TTA based upconversion efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Gudem
- Department of PhysicsStockholm UniversityAlbanova University CentreSE-106 91StockholmSweden
| | - Markus Kowalewski
- Department of PhysicsStockholm UniversityAlbanova University CentreSE-106 91StockholmSweden
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Olesund A, Johnsson J, Edhborg F, Ghasemi S, Moth-Poulsen K, Albinsson B. Approaching the Spin-Statistical Limit in Visible-to-Ultraviolet Photon Upconversion. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:3706-3716. [PMID: 35175751 PMCID: PMC8895402 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion (TTA-UC) is a process in which triplet excitons combine to form emissive singlets and holds great promise in biological applications and for improving the spectral match in solar energy conversion. While high TTA-UC quantum yields have been reported for, for example, red-to-green TTA-UC systems, there are only a few examples of visible-to-ultraviolet (UV) transformations in which the quantum yield reaches 10%. In this study, we investigate the performance of six annihilators when paired with the sensitizer 2,3,5,6-tetra(9H-carbazol-9-yl)benzonitrile (4CzBN), a purely organic compound that exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence. We report a record-setting internal TTA-UC quantum yield (ΦUC,g) of 16.8% (out of a 50% maximum) for 1,4-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)naphthalene, demonstrating the first example of a visible-to-UV TTA-UC system approaching the classical spin-statistical limit of 20%. Three other annihilators, of which 2,5-diphenylfuran has never been used for TTA-UC previously, also showed impressive performances with ΦUC,g above 12%. In addition, a new method to determine the rate constant of TTA is proposed, in which only time-resolved emission measurements are needed, circumventing the need for more challenging transient absorption measurements. The results reported herein represent an important step toward highly efficient visible-to-UV TTA-UC systems that hold great potential for driving high-energy photochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Olesund
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jessica Johnsson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Edhborg
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shima Ghasemi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kasper Moth-Poulsen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bo Albinsson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Yang M, Sheykhi S, Zhang Y, Milsmann C, Castellano FN. Low power threshold photochemical upconversion using a zirconium(iv) LMCT photosensitizer. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9069-9077. [PMID: 34276936 PMCID: PMC8261719 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01662h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The current investigation demonstrates highly efficient photochemical upconversion (UC) where a long-lived Zr(iv) ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) complex serves as a triplet photosensitizer in concert with well-established 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) along with newly conceived DPA-carbazole based acceptors/annihilators in THF solutions. The initial dynamic triplet-triplet energy transfer (TTET) processes (ΔG ∼ -0.19 eV) featured very large Stern-Volmer quenching constants (K SV) approaching or achieving 105 M-1 with bimolecular rate constants between 2 and 3 × 108 M-1 s-1 as ascertained using static and transient spectroscopic techniques. Both the TTET and subsequent triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) processes were verified and throughly investigated using transient absorption spectroscopy. The Stern-Volmer metrics support 95% quenching of the Zr(iv) photosensitizer using modest concentrations (0.25 mM) of the various acceptor/annihilators, where no aggregation took place between any of the chromophores in THF. Each of the upconverting formulations operated with continuous-wave linear incident power dependence (λ ex = 514.5 nm) down to ultralow excitation power densities under optimized experimental conditions. Impressive record-setting η UC values ranging from 31.7% to 42.7% were achieved under excitation conditions (13 mW cm-2) below that of solar flux integrated across the Zr(iv) photosensitizer's absorption band (26.7 mW cm-2). This study illustrates the importance of supporting the continued development and discovery of molecular-based triplet photosensitizers based on earth-abundant metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Yang
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8204 USA
| | - Sara Sheykhi
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8204 USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia 26506 USA
| | - Carsten Milsmann
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia 26506 USA
| | - Felix N Castellano
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8204 USA
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