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Gharbi AM, Biswas DS, Crégut O, Malý P, Didier P, Klymchenko A, Léonard J. Exciton annihilation and diffusion length in disordered multichromophoric nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:11550-11563. [PMID: 38868990 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00325j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Efficient exciton transport is the essential property of natural and synthetic light-harvesting (LH) devices. Here we investigate exciton transport properties in LH organic polymer nanoparticles (ONPs) of 40 nm diameter. The ONPs are loaded with a rhodamine B dye derivative and bulky counterion, enabling dye loadings as high as 0.3 M, while preserving fluorescence quantum yields larger than 30%. We use time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor exciton-exciton annihilation (EEA) kinetics within the ONPs dispersed in water. We demonstrate that unlike the common practice for photoluminescence investigations of EEA, the non-uniform intensity profile of the excitation light pulse must be taken into account to analyse reliably intensity-dependent population dynamics. Alternatively, a simple confocal detection scheme is demonstrated, which enables (i) retrieving the correct value for the bimolecular EEA rate which would otherwise be underestimated by a typical factor of three, and (ii) revealing minor EEA by-products otherwise unnoticed. Considering the ONPs as homogeneous rigid solutions of weakly interacting dyes, we postulate an incoherent exciton hoping mechanism to infer a diffusion constant exceeding 0.003 cm2 s-1 and a diffusion length as large as 70 nm. This work demonstrates the success of the present ONP design strategy at engineering efficient exciton transport in disordered multichromophoric systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Olivier Crégut
- IPCMS, Université de Strasbourg - CNRS, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Pavel Malý
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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2
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Mu B, Hao X, Luo X, Yang Z, Lu H, Tian W. Bioinspired polymeric supramolecular columns as efficient yet controllable artificial light-harvesting platform. Nat Commun 2024; 15:903. [PMID: 38291054 PMCID: PMC10827788 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Light-harvesting is an indispensable process in photosynthesis, and researchers have been exploring various structural scaffolds to create artificial light-harvesting systems. However, achieving high donor/acceptor ratios for efficient energy transfer remains a challenge as excitons need to travel longer diffusion lengths within the donor matrix to reach the acceptor. Here, we report a polymeric supramolecular column-based light-harvesting platform inspired by the natural light-harvesting of purple photosynthetic bacteria to address this issue. The supramolecular column is designed as a discotic columnar liquid crystalline polymer and acts as the donor, with the acceptor intercalated within it. The modular columnar design enables an ultrahigh donor/acceptor ratio of 20000:1 and an antenna effect exceeding 100. Moreover, the spatial confinement within the supramolecular columns facilitates control over the energy transfer process, enabling dynamic full-color tunable emission for information encryption applications with spatiotemporal regulation security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Xiangnan Hao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Zhongke Yang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Huanjun Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Wei Tian
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
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3
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Kurilovich AA, Mantsevich VN, Chechkin AV, Palyulin VV. Negative diffusion of excitons in quasi-two-dimensional systems. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:922-935. [PMID: 38088027 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03521b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
We show how two different mobile-immobile type models explain the observation of negative diffusion of excitons reported in experimental studies in quasi-two-dimensional semiconductor systems. The main reason for the effect is the initial trapping and a delayed release of free excitons in the area close to the original excitation spot. The density of trapped excitons is not registered experimentally. Hence, the signal from the free excitons alone includes the delayed release of not diffusing trapped particles. This is seen as the narrowing of the exciton density profile or decrease of mean-squared displacement which is then interpreted as a negative diffusion. The effect is enhanced with the increase of recombination intensity as well as the rate of the exciton-exciton binary interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr A Kurilovich
- Center for Energy Science and Technology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoy Boulevard 30, 121205, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N Mantsevich
- Chair of Semiconductors and Cryoelectronics, Physics department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei V Chechkin
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Hugo Steinhaus Center, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
- Institute for Physics & Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Akhiezer Institute for Theoretical Physics National Science Center "Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology", 61108, Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - Vladimir V Palyulin
- Applied AI centre, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Bolshoy Boulevard 30, Moscow, 121205, Russia.
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Hollingsworth WR, Johnston AR, Jia M, Luo L, Park Y, Meier W, Palmer J, Rolandi M, Ayzner AL. Influence of Backbone Regioregularity on the Optoelectronic and Mechanical Response of Conjugated Polyelectrolyte-Based Hydrogels. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2277-2285. [PMID: 36882905 PMCID: PMC10026064 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The ability to form robust, optoelectronically responsive, and mechanically tunable hydrogels using facile processing is desirable for sensing, biomedical, and light-harvesting applications. We demonstrate that such a hydrogel can be formed using aqueous complexation between one conjugated and one nonconjugated polyelectrolyte. We show that the rheological properties of the hydrogel can be tuned using the regioregularity of the conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) backbone, leading to significantly different mesoscale gel morphologies. We also find that the exciton dynamics in the long-time limit reflect differences in the underlying electronic connectivity of the hydrogels as a function CPE regioregularity. The influence of excess small ions on the hydrogel structure and the exciton dynamics similarly depends on the regioregularity in a significant way. Finally, electrical impedance measurements lead us to infer that these hydrogels can act as mixed ionic/electronic conductors. We believe that such gels possess an attractive combination of physical-chemical properties that can be leveraged in multiple applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Hollingsworth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Anna R Johnston
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Manping Jia
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Le Luo
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Yunjeong Park
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Walter Meier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Jack Palmer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Marco Rolandi
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Alexander L Ayzner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
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5
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Kurilovich AA, Mantsevich VN, Mardoukhi Y, Stevenson KJ, Chechkin AV, Palyulin VV. Non-Markovian diffusion of excitons in layered perovskites and transition metal dichalcogenides. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:13941-13950. [PMID: 35621272 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00557c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The diffusion of excitons in perovskites and transition metal dichalcogenides shows clear anomalous, subdiffusive behaviour in experiments. In this paper we develop a non-Markovian mobile-immobile model which provides an explanation of this behaviour through paired theoretical and simulation approaches. The simulation model is based on a random walk on a 2D lattice with randomly distributed deep traps such that the trapping time distribution involves slowly decaying power-law asymptotics. The theoretical model uses coupled diffusion and rate equations for free and trapped excitons, respectively, with an integral term responsible for trapping. The model provides a good fitting of the experimental data, thus, showing a way for quantifying the exciton diffusion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr A Kurilovich
- Center for Energy Science and Technology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N Mantsevich
- Chair of Semiconductors and Cryoelectronics & Quantum Technology Center, Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yousof Mardoukhi
- Institute for Physics & Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Keith J Stevenson
- Center for Energy Science and Technology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksei V Chechkin
- Institute for Physics & Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.,Faculty of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Hugo Steinhaus Center, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.,Akhiezer Institute for Theoretical Physics National Science Center "Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology", 61108, Kharkov, Ukraine
| | - Vladimir V Palyulin
- RAIC Center, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 121205, Moscow, Russia.
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Fanciullo G, Conti I, Didier P, Klymchenko A, Léonard J, Garavelli M, Rivalta I. Modelling quenching mechanisms of disordered molecular systems in the presence of molecular aggregates. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:1787-1794. [PMID: 34985481 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04260b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Exciton density dynamics recorded in time-resolved spectroscopic measurements is a useful tool to recover information on energy transfer (ET) processes that can occur at different timescales, up to the ultrafast regime. Macroscopic models of exciton density decays, involving both direct Förster-like ET and diffusion mechanisms for exciton-exciton annihilation, are largely used to fit time-resolved experimental data but generally neglect contributions from molecular aggregates that can work as quenching species. In this work, we introduce a macroscopic model that includes contributions from molecular aggregate quenchers in a disordered molecular system. As an exemplifying case, we considered a homogenous distribution of rhodamine B dyes embedded in organic nanoparticles to set the initial parameters of the proposed model. The influence of such model parameters is systematically analysed, showing that the presence of molecular aggregate quenchers can be monitored by evaluating the exciton density long time decays. We showed that the proposed model can be applied to molecular systems with ultrafast decays, and we anticipated that it could be used in future studies for global fitting of experimental data with potential support from first-principles simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Fanciullo
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", ALMA MATER STUDIORUM, Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Irene Conti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", ALMA MATER STUDIORUM, Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Pascal Didier
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Andrey Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 74 Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch, France
| | - Jérémie Léonard
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, UMR 7504, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marco Garavelli
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", ALMA MATER STUDIORUM, Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Ivan Rivalta
- Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", ALMA MATER STUDIORUM, Università di Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40126 Bologna, Italy. .,Université de Lyon, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, Laboratoire de Chimie, 46 Allée d'Italie, F69364 Lyon, France
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7
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Andreiuk B, Aparin IO, Reisch A, Klymchenko AS. Bulky Barbiturates as Non-Toxic Ionic Dye Insulators for Enhanced Emission in Polymeric Nanoparticles. Chemistry 2021; 27:12877-12883. [PMID: 34164869 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202101986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bulky hydrophobic counterions (weakly coordinating anions) can insulate ionic dyes against aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and enable preparation of highly fluorescent dye-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for bioimaging, biosensing and light harvesting. Here, we introduce a family of hydrophobic anions based on fluorinated C-acyl barbiturates with delocalized negative charge and bulky non-polar groups. Similarly to fluorinated tetraphenylborates, these barbiturates prevent ACQ of cationic dye alkyl rhodamine B inside polymer NPs made of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Their efficiency to prevent ACQ increases for analogues with higher acidity and bulkiness. Their structure controls dye-dye communication, yielding bright NPs with on/off switching or stable emission. They enhance dye encapsulation inside NPs, allowing intracellular imaging without dye leakage. Compared to fluorinated tetraphenylborates known as cytotoxic transmembrane ion transporters, the barbiturates display a significantly lower cytotoxicity. These chemically available and versatile barbiturate derivatives are promising counterion scaffolds for preparation of bright non-toxic fluorescent nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan Andreiuk
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, ITI Chimie des Systèmes Complexes, Université de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Ilya O Aparin
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, ITI Chimie des Systèmes Complexes, Université de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Andreas Reisch
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, ITI Chimie des Systèmes Complexes, Université de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67401, Illkirch, France
| | - Andrey S Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies, UMR 7021 CNRS, ITI Chimie des Systèmes Complexes, Université de Strasbourg, 74 route du Rhin, 67401, Illkirch, France
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Corsini F, Apostolo M, Botta C, Turri S, Griffini G. Poly(vinylidenefluoride) polymers and copolymers as versatile hosts for luminescent solar concentrators: compositional tuning for enhanced performance. RSC Adv 2021; 11:29786-29796. [PMID: 35479540 PMCID: PMC9040912 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra04537g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel host matrices based on fluoropolymers blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) are presented in this work for application in efficient and photochemically stable thin-film luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). These systems consist of blends of PMMA with three different partially fluorinated polymers in different proportions: polyvinylidenefluoride homopolymer, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride and chloro-trifluoro-ethylene, and a terpolymer of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene and hydroxyl-ethyl acetate. A detailed chemical, physical and structural characterization of the obtained materials allowed us to shed light on the structure–property relationships underlying the response of such blends as a LSC component, revealing the effect of the degree of crystallinity of the polymers on their functional characteristics. An optimization study of the optical and photovoltaic (PV) performance of these fluoropolymer-based LSC systems was carried out by investigating the effect of blend chemical composition, luminophore concentration and film thickness on LSC device output. LSCs featuring copolymer/PMMA blends as the host matrix were found to outperform their homopolymer- and terpolymer-based blend counterparts, attaining efficiencies comparable to those of reference PMMA-based LSC/PV assemblies. All optimized LSC systems were subjected to weathering tests for over 1000 h of continuous light exposure to evaluate the effect of the host matrix system on LSC performance decline and to correlate chemical composition with photochemical durability. It was found that all fluoropolymer/PMMA-based LSCs outperformed reference PMMA-based LSCs in terms of long-term operational lifetime. This work provides the first demonstration of thermoplastic fluoropolymer/PMMA blends for application as host matrices in efficient and stable LSCs and widens the scope of high-performance thermoplastic materials for the PV field. Novel fluoropolymer–polymethylmethacrylate blends used as host matrices in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are presented. Fluoropolymer/PMMA-based LSC efficiency is comparable to that of PMMA-based LSCs and is stable over 1000 h of aging test.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Corsini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Apostolo
- Solvay Specialty Polymers, Viale Lombardia, 20, 20021 Bollate, Italy
| | - Chiara Botta
- Institute of Sciences and Chemical Technologies “Giulio Natta” (SCITEC) of CNR, via Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Turri
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Griffini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Rampazzo E, Bonacchi S, Juris R, Genovese D, Prodi L, Zaccheroni N, Montalti M. Dual-Mode, Anisotropy-Encoded, Ratiometric Fluorescent Nanosensors: Towards Multiplexed Detection. Chemistry 2018; 24:16743-16746. [PMID: 30256465 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201803461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A nanosensor with dual-mode fluorescence response to pH and an encoded identification signal, was developed by exploiting excitation energy transfer and tailored control of molecular organization in core-shell nanoparticles. Multiple signals were acquired in a simple single-excitation dual-emission channels set-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Rampazzo
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Bonacchi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Juris
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Damiano Genovese
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Prodi
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nelsi Zaccheroni
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Montalti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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10
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Reisch A, Trofymchuk K, Runser A, Fleith G, Rawiso M, Klymchenko AS. Tailoring Fluorescence Brightness and Switching of Nanoparticles through Dye Organization in the Polymer Matrix. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:43030-43042. [PMID: 29185702 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b12292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) help to increase spatial and temporal resolution in bioimaging. Advanced microscopy techniques require very bright NPs that exhibit either stable emission for single-particle tracking or complete on/off switching (blinking) for super-resolution imaging. Here, ultrabright dye-loaded polymer NPs with controlled switching properties are developed. To this aim, the salt of a dye (rhodamine B octadecyl ester) with a hydrophobic counterion (fluorinated tetraphenylborate) is encapsulated at very high concentrations up to 30 wt % in NPs made of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) through nanoprecipitation. The obtained 35 nm NPs are nearly 100 times brighter than quantum dots. The nature of the polymer is found to define the collective behavior of the encapsulated dyes so that NPs containing thousands of dyes exhibit either whole particle blinking, for PLGA, or stable emission, for PMMA and PCL. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements together with small-angle X-ray scattering experiments suggest that in less hydrophobic PLGA, dyes tend to cluster, whereas in more hydrophobic PMMA and PCL, dyes are dispersed within the matrix, thus altering the switching behavior of NPs. Experiments using a perylene diimide derivative show a similar effect of the polymer nature. The resulting fluorescent NPs are suitable for a wide range of imaging applications from tracking to super-resolution imaging. The findings on the organization of the load innside NPs will have impact on the development of materials for applications ranging from photovoltaics to drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Reisch
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR CNRS 7213, Université de Strasbourg , 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Kateryna Trofymchuk
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR CNRS 7213, Université de Strasbourg , 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Anne Runser
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR CNRS 7213, Université de Strasbourg , 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Guillaume Fleith
- Institut Charles Sadron (CNRS-UdS) , 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Michel Rawiso
- Institut Charles Sadron (CNRS-UdS) , 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Andrey S Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR CNRS 7213, Université de Strasbourg , 74 route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
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11
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Trofymchuk K, Reisch A, Didier P, Fras F, Gilliot P, Mely Y, Klymchenko AS. Giant light-harvesting nanoantenna for single-molecule detection in ambient light. NATURE PHOTONICS 2017; 11:657-663. [PMID: 28983324 PMCID: PMC5624503 DOI: 10.1038/s41566-017-0001-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Here, we explore the enhancement of single molecule emission by polymeric nano-antenna that can harvest energy from thousands of donor dyes to a single acceptor. In this nano-antenna, the cationic dyes are brought together in very close proximity using bulky counterions, thus enabling ultrafast diffusion of excitation energy (≤30 fs) with minimal losses. Our 60-nm nanoparticles containing >10,000 rhodamine-based donor dyes can efficiently transfer energy to 1-2 acceptors resulting in an antenna effect of ~1,000. Therefore, single Cy5-based acceptors become 25-fold brighter than quantum dots QD655. This unprecedented amplification of the acceptor dye emission enables observation of single molecules at illumination powers (1-10 mW cm-2) that are >10,000-fold lower than typically required in single-molecule measurements. Finally, using a basic setup, which includes a 20X air objective and a sCMOS camera, we could detect single Cy5 molecules by simply shining divergent light on the sample at powers equivalent to sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Trofymchuk
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, F-67401 ILLKIRCH, France
| | - Andreas Reisch
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, F-67401 ILLKIRCH, France
| | - Pascal Didier
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, F-67401 ILLKIRCH, France
| | | | | | - Yves Mely
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, F-67401 ILLKIRCH, France
| | - Andrey S. Klymchenko
- Université de Strasbourg, Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, F-67401 ILLKIRCH, France
- Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to A.S.K. ; Tel: +33 368 85 42 55
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12
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Banal JL, Zhang B, Jones DJ, Ghiggino KP, Wong WWH. Emissive Molecular Aggregates and Energy Migration in Luminescent Solar Concentrators. Acc Chem Res 2017; 50:49-57. [PMID: 27992172 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are light harvesting devices that are ideally suited to light collection in the urban environment where direct sunlight is often not available. LSCs consist of highly luminescent compounds embedded or coated on a transparent substrate that absorb diffuse or direct solar radiation over a large area. The resulting luminescence is trapped in the waveguide by total internal reflection to the thin edges of the substrate where the concentrated light can be used to improve the performance of photovoltaic devices. The concept of LSCs has been around for several decades, and yet the efficiencies of current devices are still below expectations for commercial viability. There are two primary challenges when designing new chromophores for LSC applications. Reabsorption of dye emission by chromophores within the waveguide is a significant loss mechanism attenuating the light output of LSCs. Concentration quenching, particularly in organic dye systems, restricts the quantity of chromophores that can be incorporated in the waveguide thus limiting the light absorbed by the LSC. Frequently, a compromise between increased light harvesting of the incident light and decreasing emission quantum yield is required for most organic chromophore-based systems due to concentration quenching. The low Stokes shift of common organic dyes used in current LSCs also imposes another optimization problem. Increasing light absorption of LSCs based on organic dyes to achieve efficient light harvesting also enhances reabsorption. Ideally, a design strategy to simultaneously optimize light harvesting, concentration quenching, and reabsorption of LSC chromophores is clearly needed to address the significant losses in LSCs. Over the past few years, research in our group has targeted novel dye structures that address these primary challenges. There is a common perception that dye aggregates are to be avoided in LSCs. It became apparent in our studies that aggregates of chromophores exhibiting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior are attractive candidates for LSC applications. Strategic application of AIE chromophores has led to the development of the first organic-based transparent solar concentrator that harvests UV light as well as the demonstration of reabsorption reduction by taking advantage of energy migration processes between chromophores. Further developments led us to the application of perylene diimides using an energy migration/energy transfer approach. To prevent concentration quenching, a molecularly insulated perylene diimide with bulky substituents attached to the imide positions was designed and synthesized. By combining the insulated perylene diimide with a commercial perylene dye as an energy donor-acceptor emitter pair, detrimental luminescence reabsorption was reduced while achieving a high chromophore concentration for efficient light absorption. This Account reviews and reinspects some of our recent work and the improvements in the field of LSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L. Banal
- School of Chemistry, Bio21
Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Bolong Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Bio21
Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - David J. Jones
- School of Chemistry, Bio21
Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Kenneth P. Ghiggino
- School of Chemistry, Bio21
Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Wallace W. H. Wong
- School of Chemistry, Bio21
Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Shulov I, Arntz Y, Mély Y, Pivovarenko VG, Klymchenko AS. Non-coordinating anions assemble cyanine amphiphiles into ultra-small fluorescent nanoparticles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:7962-5. [PMID: 27251475 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc03716j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
A non-coordinating anion, fluorinated tetraphenylborate, assembles specially designed cationic cyanine amphiphiles into 7-8 nm fluorescent nanoparticles that are >40-fold brighter than a single cyanine dye. This kind of anion, combining hydrophobic and electrostatic forces in aqueous media, constitutes promising building blocks in the self-assembly of functional nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ievgen Shulov
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
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14
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Reisch A, Klymchenko AS. Fluorescent Polymer Nanoparticles Based on Dyes: Seeking Brighter Tools for Bioimaging. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:1968-92. [PMID: 26901678 PMCID: PMC5405874 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201503396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Revised: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Speed, resolution and sensitivity of today's fluorescence bioimaging can be drastically improved by fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) that are many-fold brighter than organic dyes and fluorescent proteins. While the field is currently dominated by inorganic NPs, notably quantum dots (QDs), fluorescent polymer NPs encapsulating large quantities of dyes (dye-loaded NPs) have emerged recently as an attractive alternative. These new nanomaterials, inspired from the fields of polymeric drug delivery vehicles and advanced fluorophores, can combine superior brightness with biodegradability and low toxicity. Here, we describe the strategies for synthesis of dye-loaded polymer NPs by emulsion polymerization and assembly of pre-formed polymers. Superior brightness requires strong dye loading without aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). Only recently several strategies of dye design were proposed to overcome ACQ in polymer NPs: aggregation induced emission (AIE), dye modification with bulky side groups and use of bulky hydrophobic counterions. The resulting NPs now surpass the brightness of QDs by ≈10-fold for a comparable size, and have started reaching the level of the brightest conjugated polymer NPs. Other properties, notably photostability, color, blinking, as well as particle size and surface chemistry are also systematically analyzed. Finally, major and emerging applications of dye-loaded NPs for in vitro and in vivo imaging are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Reisch
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France
| | - Andrey S. Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France
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15
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Griffini G, Turri S. Polymeric materials for long-term durability of photovoltaic systems. J Appl Polym Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/app.43080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Griffini
- Department of Chemistry; Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico di Milano; Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 20133 Milano Italy
| | - Stefano Turri
- Department of Chemistry; Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico di Milano; Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 20133 Milano Italy
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Shulov I, Oncul S, Reisch A, Arntz Y, Collot M, Mely Y, Klymchenko AS. Fluorinated counterion-enhanced emission of rhodamine aggregates: ultrabright nanoparticles for bioimaging and light-harvesting. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:18198-18210. [PMID: 26482443 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr04955e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The key to ultrabright fluorescent nanomaterials is the control of dye emission in the aggregated state. Here, lipophilic rhodamine B derivatives are assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) using tetraphenylborate counterions with varied fluorination levels that should tune the short-range dye ordering. Counterion fluorination is found to drastically enhance the emission characteristics of these NPs. Highly fluorinated counterions produce 10-20 nm NPs containing >300 rhodamine dyes with a fluorescence quantum yield of 40-60% and a remarkably narrow emission band (34 nm), whereas, for other counterions, aggregation caused quenching with a weak broad-band emission is observed. NPs with the most fluorinated counterion (48 fluorines) are ∼40-fold brighter than quantum dots (QD585 at 532 nm excitation) in single-molecule microscopy, showing improved photostability and suppressed blinking. Due to exciton diffusion, revealed by fluorescence anisotropy, these NPs are efficient FRET donors to single cyanine-5 acceptors with a light-harvesting antenna effect reaching 200. Finally, NPs with the most fluorinated counterion are rather stable after entry into living cells, in contrast to their less fluorinated analogue. Thus, the present work shows the crucial role of counterion fluorination in achieving high fluorescence brightness and photostability, narrow-band emission, efficient energy transfer and high intracellular stability of nanomaterials for light harvesting and bioimaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ievgen Shulov
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France. and Organic Chemistry Department, Chemistry Faculty, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sule Oncul
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France. and Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, 34700 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andreas Reisch
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
| | - Youri Arntz
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
| | - Mayeul Collot
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
| | - Yves Mely
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
| | - Andrey S Klymchenko
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
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Trofymchuk K, Prodi L, Reisch A, Mély Y, Altenhöner K, Mattay J, Klymchenko AS. Exploiting Fast Exciton Diffusion in Dye-Doped Polymer Nanoparticles to Engineer Efficient Photoswitching. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:2259-2264. [PMID: 26266601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Photoswitching of bright fluorescent nanoparticles opens new possibilities for bioimaging with superior temporal and spatial resolution. However, efficient photoswitching of nanoparticles is hard to achieve using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to a photochromic dye, because the particle size is usually larger than the Förster radius. Here, we propose to exploit the exciton diffusion within the FRET donor dyes to boost photoswitching efficiency in dye-doped polymer nanoparticles. To this end, we utilized bulky hydrophobic counterions that prevent self-quenching and favor communication of octadecyl rhodamine B dyes inside a polymer matrix of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide). Among tested counterions, only perfluorinated tetraphenylborate that favors the exciton diffusion enables high photoswitching efficiency (on/off ratio ∼20). The switching improves with donor dye loading and requires only 0.1-0.3 wt % of a diphenylethene photochromic dye. Our nanoparticles were validated both in solution and at the single-particle level. The proposed concept paves the way to new efficient photoswitchable nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Trofymchuk
- †Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Luca Prodi
- ‡Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", Università degli Studi di Bologna, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andreas Reisch
- †Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Yves Mély
- †Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Kai Altenhöner
- §Organic Chemistry I, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jochen Mattay
- §Organic Chemistry I, Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstrasse 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andrey S Klymchenko
- †Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 Illkirch Cedex, France
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18
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Trofymchuk K, Reisch A, Shulov I, Mély Y, Klymchenko AS. Tuning the color and photostability of perylene diimides inside polymer nanoparticles: towards biodegradable substitutes of quantum dots. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:12934-42. [PMID: 25233438 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr03718a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (NPs) are attractive alternatives to quantum dots due to their potential biodegradability. However, preparation of fluorescent organic NPs is challenging due to the problem of self-quenching of the encapsulated dyes. Moreover, the photostability of organic dyes is much lower than that of quantum dots. To address both problems, we studied encapsulation into biodegradable polymer PLGA NPs of perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives, which are among the most photostable dyes reported to date. Two PDIs were tested, one bearing bulky hydrophobic groups at the imides, while the other was substituted in both imide and bay regions (Lumogen Red). Encapsulation of the former resulted in aggregation, which was accompanied by the emission color change from green to red, some decrease in the fluorescence quantum yield and a significant drop in the photostability, unexpected for PDI dyes. In contrast, Lumogen Red showed nearly no aggregation inside polymer NPs and maintained high quantum yield and photostability. According to wide-field fluorescence microscopy with a 532 nm excitation laser, our 40 nm PLGA NPs loaded with 1 wt% Lumogen Red were >10-fold brighter than quantum dots (QD-585). These NPs were stable in biological media, including serum, and entered spontaneously into HeLa cells by endocytosis showing no sign of cytotoxicity. Due to excellent photostability, these nanoparticles could be considered as biodegradable substitutes of quantum dots in bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Trofymchuk
- Laboratoire de Biophotonique et Pharmacologie, UMR 7213 CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Pharmacie, 74, Route du Rhin, 67401 ILLKIRCH Cedex, France.
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19
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Collective fluorescence switching of counterion-assembled dyes in polymer nanoparticles. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4089. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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20
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Genovese D, Rampazzo E, Bonacchi S, Montalti M, Zaccheroni N, Prodi L. Energy transfer processes in dye-doped nanostructures yield cooperative and versatile fluorescent probes. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:3022-3036. [PMID: 24531884 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr05599j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Fast and efficient energy transfer among dyes confined in nanocontainers provides the basis of outstanding functionalities in new-generation luminescent probes. This feature article provides an overview of recent research achievements on luminescent Pluronic-Silica NanoParticles (PluS NPs), a class of extremely monodisperse core-shell nanoparticles whose design can be easily tuned to match specific needs for diverse applications based on luminescence, and that have already been successfully tested in in vivo imaging. An outline of their outstanding properties, such as tuneability, bright and photoswitchable fluorescence and electrochemiluminescence, will be supported by a critical discussion of our recent works in this field. Furthermore, novel data and simulations will be presented to (i) thoroughly examine common issues arising from the inclusion of multiple dyes in a small silica core, and (ii) show the emergence of a cooperative behaviour among embedded dyes. Such cooperative behaviour provides a handle for fine control of brightness, emission colour and self-quenching phenomena in PluS NPs, leading to significantly enhanced signal to noise ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Genovese
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Giacomo Ciamician", via Selmi 2, Bologna 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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21
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Griffini G, Brambilla L, Levi M, Castiglioni C, Del Zoppo M, Turri S. Anthracene/tetracene cocrystals as novel fluorophores in thin-film luminescent solar concentrators. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra46810k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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22
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Abstract
The photophysical behavior of organic semiconductors is governed by their excitonic states. In this review, I classify the three different exciton types (Frenkel singlet, Frenkel triplet, and charge transfer) typically encountered in organic semiconductors. Experimental challenges that arise in the study of solid-state organic systems are discussed. The steady-state spectroscopy of intermolecular delocalized Frenkel excitons is described, using crystalline tetracene as an example. I consider the problem of a localized exciton diffusing in a disordered matrix in detail, and experimental results on conjugated polymers and model systems suggest that energetic disorder leads to subdiffusive motion. Multiexciton processes such as singlet fission and triplet fusion are described, emphasizing the role of spin state coherence and magnetic fields in studying singlet ↔ triplet pair interconversion. Singlet fission provides an example of how all three types of excitons (triplet, singlet, and charge transfer) may interact to produce useful phenomena for applications such as solar energy conversion.
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Vlaming SM, Malyshev VA, Eisfeld A, Knoester J. Subdiffusive exciton motion in systems with heavy-tailed disorder. J Chem Phys 2013; 138:214316. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4808155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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24
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Hennig A, Hatami S, Spieles M, Resch-Genger U. Excitation energy migration and trapping on the surface of fluorescent poly(acrylic acid)-grafted polymer particles. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2013; 12:729-37. [DOI: 10.1039/c2pp25364j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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25
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Organic solar cells: understanding the role of Förster resonance energy transfer. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:17019-47. [PMID: 23235328 PMCID: PMC3546737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131217019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic solar cells have the potential to become a low-cost sustainable energy source. Understanding the photoconversion mechanism is key to the design of efficient organic solar cells. In this review, we discuss the processes involved in the photo-electron conversion mechanism, which may be subdivided into exciton harvesting, exciton transport, exciton dissociation, charge transport and extraction stages. In particular, we focus on the role of energy transfer as described by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) theory in the photoconversion mechanism. FRET plays a major role in exciton transport, harvesting and dissociation. The spectral absorption range of organic solar cells may be extended using sensitizers that efficiently transfer absorbed energy to the photoactive materials. The limitations of Förster theory to accurately calculate energy transfer rates are discussed. Energy transfer is the first step of an efficient two-step exciton dissociation process and may also be used to preferentially transport excitons to the heterointerface, where efficient exciton dissociation may occur. However, FRET also competes with charge transfer at the heterointerface turning it in a potential loss mechanism. An energy cascade comprising both energy transfer and charge transfer may aid in separating charges and is briefly discussed. Considering the extent to which the photo-electron conversion efficiency is governed by energy transfer, optimisation of this process offers the prospect of improved organic photovoltaic performance and thus aids in realising the potential of organic solar cells.
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Lee H, Lee M. Excluded volume effect in the fluorescence energy transfer of single donor-multiple acceptors in polymer. J Phys Chem B 2012; 116:11857-62. [PMID: 22967214 DOI: 10.1021/jp306164a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a donor to multiple acceptors is an interesting subject. Numerous studies using theoretical models and simulations have focused on the excluded volume effect, which was not considered in Förster's first derivation. In this work, we first present the experimental results on the excluded volume effect by employing time-resolved FRET. Coumarin 334 (C334) was used as the energy donor whereas hemin and cytochrome c (cyt c) were used as the energy acceptors. The fluorescence intensity decays were measured for C334 surrounded by a number of acceptors in poly(acrylic acid). We have observed that the excluded volume effect is markedly pronounced with cyt c compared with hemin when the acceptor concentration is high (>5 mM). The results, which may be explicitly described by the relative molecular sizes of two acceptors, showed that the excluded volume effect should be considered in the interpretation of FRET data, especially when bulk chromophores are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyemin Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea
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Stevens AL, Kaeser A, Schenning APHJ, Herz LM. Morphology-dependent energy transfer dynamics in fluorene-based amphiphile nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2012; 6:4777-4787. [PMID: 22548325 DOI: 10.1021/nn204942r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are interesting systems to study because of their large range of potential uses in biological imaging and sensing. We investigated molecular nanoparticles formed by fast injection of a small volume of molecularly dissolved fluorene-derivative amphiphilic molecules into a polar solvent, which resulted in solid spherical particles of ∼80 nm diameter with high stability. Energy transfer studies were carried out on two-component nanoparticles that contained mixtures of donor and acceptor amphiphiles of various fractions. We conducted time-resolved photoluminescence measurements on the two-component nanoparticles in order to determine whether the fundamental donor-acceptor interaction parameter (the Förster radius) depends on the acceptor concentration. The Förster radius was found to be large for very low incorporated acceptor fractions (<0.1%), but it declined with increasing concentration. These changes were concomitant with shifts in the acceptor emission and absorption circular dichroism spectra that indicated an increasing clustering of acceptors into domains as their fraction was raised. In addition, for acceptor fractions below 2% the extracted Förster radii were found to be significantly larger than predicted from donor-acceptor spectral overlap calculations, in accordance with efficient excitation diffusion within the donor matrix, aiding the overall transfer to acceptors. We conclude that energy transfer in two-component nanoparticles shows a complex interplay between phase segregation of the constituent donor and acceptor molecules and excitation diffusion within their domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Stevens
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
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Kim T, He L, Morales JR, Beyermann WP, Bardeen CJ. Magnetic field control of fluorescent polymer nanorods. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2011; 22:455704. [PMID: 22020159 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/45/455704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale objects that combine high luminescence output with a magnetic response may be useful for probing local environments or manipulating objects on small scales. Ideally, these two properties would not interfere with each other. In this paper, we show that a fluorescent polymer host material can be doped with high concentrations of 20-30 nm diameter magnetic γ-Fe2O3 particles and then formed into 200 nm diameter nanorods using porous anodic alumina oxide templates. Two different polymer hosts are used: the conjugated polymer polydioctylfluorene and also polystyrene doped with the fluorescent dye Lumogen Red. Fluorescence decay measurements show that 14% by weight loading of the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles quenches the fluorescence of the polydioctylfluorene by approximately 33%, but the polystyrene/Lumogen Red fluorescence is almost unaffected. The three-dimensional orientation of both types of nanorods can be precisely controlled by the application of a moderate strength (∼0.1 T) external field with sub-second response times. Transmission electron microscope images reveal that the nanoparticles cluster in the polymer matrix, and these clusters may serve both to prevent fluorescence quenching and to generate the magnetic moment that rotates in response to the applied magnetic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehyung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, 501 Big Springs Road, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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29
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Colby KA, Bardeen CJ. Electronic Energy Migration in Solid versus Liquid Host Matrices for Concentrated Perylenediimide Dye Solutions. J Phys Chem A 2011; 115:7574-81. [DOI: 10.1021/jp202654v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. Colby
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Christopher J. Bardeen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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30
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Fennel F, Lochbrunner S. Long distance energy transfer in a polymer matrix doped with a perylene dye. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:3527-33. [PMID: 21212888 DOI: 10.1039/c0cp01211d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Exciton migration over long distances is a key issue for various applications in organic electronics. We investigate a disordered material system which has the potential for long exciton diffusion lengths in combination with a high versatility. The perylene bisimide dye Perylene Red is incorporated in a polymer matrix with a high concentration. The dye molecules represent active sites with a narrow energy distribution for the electronically excited states. Excitons can be efficiently exchanged between them by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The narrow energy distribution reduces drastically the trapping probability of the excitons compared to polymers and allows for long transfer distances. To characterize the mobility of the excitons and their diffusion length the dye Oxazine 1 is added as an acceptor in low concentration and the transfer probability to the acceptor is determined by measuring the reduction of Perylene Red fluorescence. The quenched quantum yield is measured for dye concentrations varying from 0.05 M to 0.15 M for Perylene Red and from 0.3 mM to 3 mM for Oxazine 1. The experimental results are compared to a model which assumes that excitons can diffuse through the material by FRET between Perylene Red sites and are trapped at an acceptor with a final hetero FRET step. We find a quite good match between theory and experiment though the observed diffusion constant is about two times smaller than the calculated one. The exciton diffusion length extracted from the data is 30 nm for a Perylene Red concentration of 0.1 M and demonstrates that long distance energy transfer is possible in this disordered material system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Fennel
- Institut für Physik, Universität Rostock, Universitätsplatz 3, 18051 Rostock, Germany
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