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Niihori Y, Kosaka T, Negishi Y. Triplet-triplet annihilation-based photon upconversion using nanoparticles and nanoclusters. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:2304-2322. [PMID: 38587491 DOI: 10.1039/d4mh00117f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The phenomenon of photon upconversion (UC), generating high-energy photons from low-energy photons, has attracted significant attention. In particular, triplet-triplet annihilation-based UC (TTA-UC) has been achieved by combining the excitation states of two types of molecules, called the sensitizer and emitter (or annihilator). With TTA-UC, it is possible to convert weak, incoherent near-infrared (NIR) light, which constitutes half of the solar radiation intensity, into ultraviolet and visible light that are suitable for the operation of light-responsive functional materials or devices such as solar cells and photocatalysts. Research on TTA-UC is being conducted worldwide, often employing materials with high intersystem crossing rates, such as metal porphyrins, as sensitizers. This review summarizes recent research and trends in triplet energy transfer and TTA-UC for semiconductor nanoparticles or nanocrystals with diameters in the nanometer range, also known as quantum dots, and for ligand-protected metal nanoclusters, which have even smaller well-defined sub-nanostructures. Concerning nanoparticles, transmitter ligands have been applied on the surface of the nanoparticles to efficiently transfer triplet excitons formed inside the nanoparticles to emitters. Applications are expanding to solid-state UC devices that convert NIR light to visible light. Additionally, there is active research in the development of sensitizers using more cost-effective and environmentally friendly elements. Regarding metal nanoclusters, methods have been established for the evaluation of excited states, deepening the understanding of luminescent properties and excited relaxation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Niihori
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan.
| | - Taiga Kosaka
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
| | - Yuichi Negishi
- Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan.
- Graduate School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
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2
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Gong N, Lai R, Xing S, Liu Z, Mo J, Man T, Li Z, Di D, Du J, Tan D, Liu X, Qiu J, Xu B. Electronic State Engineering in Perovskite-Cerium-Composite Nanocrystals toward Enhanced Triplet Annihilation Upconversion. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2305069. [PMID: 37870173 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Wavelength conversion based on hybrid inorganic-organic sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) is promising for applications such as photovoltaics, light-emitting-diodes, photocatalysis, additive manufacturing, and bioimaging. The efficiency of TTA-UC depends on the population of triplet excitons involved in triplet energy transfer (TET), the driving force in TET, and the coupling strength between the donor and acceptor. Consequently, achieving highly efficient TTA-UC necessitates the precise control of the electronic states of inorganic donors. However, conventional covalently bonded nanocrystals (NCs) face significant challenges in this regard. Herein, a novel strategy to exert control over electronic states is proposed, thereby enhancing TET and TTA-UC by incorporating ionic-bonded CsPbBr3 and lanthanide Ce3+ ions into composite NCs. These composite-NCs exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yield, extended single-exciton lifetime, quantum confinement, and uplifted energy levels. This engineering strategy of electronic states engendered a comprehensive impact, augmenting the population of triplet excitons participating in the TET process, enhancing coupling strength and the driving force, ultimately leading to an unconventional, dopant concentration-dependent nonlinear enhancement of UC efficiency. This work not only advances fundamental understanding of hybrid TTA-UC but also opens a door for the creation of other ionic-bonded composite NCs with tunable functionalities, promising innovations for next-generation optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Runchen Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Shiyu Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - ZhengZheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics and CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 201800, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyao Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Tao Man
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Zicheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Dawei Di
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Juan Du
- State Key Laboratory of High Field Laser Physics and CAS Center for Excellence in Ultra-intense Laser Science, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 201800, Shanghai, China
| | - Dezhi Tan
- Zhejiang Lab, 311100, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianrong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Beibei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
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Luo S, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Wang XJ, Ran X, He Y, Kuang Y, Chi Z, Guo L. Size-Regulated Hole and Triplet Energy Transfer from CdSe Quantum Dots to Organic Acceptors for Enhancing Singlet Oxygen Generation. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:19087-19095. [PMID: 37934916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Triplet energy transfer (TET) from semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is an emerging strategy for sensitizing molecular triplets that have great potential in many applications. Here, CdSe QDs with varying sizes and 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid (PCA) are selected as the triplet donor and acceptor, respectively, to study the TET and charge transfer dynamics as well as enhanced singlet oxygen (1O2) generation properties. The results from static and transient spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that both the TET and hole transfer occur at the QDs-PCA interface. The observed significant drop in TET efficiency from 52 to 8% with increasing QD size results from the reduced TET driving force between the QDs and PCA, which is further confirmed by the more efficient sensitization of the anthracene derivative with a large TET driving force. In contrast, the hole transfer efficiency displays a small decrease with an increasing QD size due to a slight change in the hole driving force. The sensitized PCA triplets show a good ability of 1O2 generation, and the 1O2 formation rate increases 10-fold as the QD size decreases from 3.3 to 2.4 nm. These findings provide a profound understanding of the TET and hole transfer mechanism from QDs to molecules and are significant in designing efficient 1O2 generation systems based on semiconductor QDs and triplet molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shida Luo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yanshen Zhu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Wang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Xia Ran
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yulu He
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yanmin Kuang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zhen Chi
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Lijun Guo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
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Chi Z, Xu J, Luo S, Ran X, Wang X, Liu P, He Y, Kuang Y, Guo L. Triplet generation at the CdTe quantum dot/anthracene interface mediated by hot and thermalized electron exchange for enhanced production of singlet oxygen. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:8913-8920. [PMID: 36916640 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00021d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Triplet energy transfer (TET) from semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) to molecular triplets has potential applications in photon up-conversion and singlet oxygen generation. Here, we have constructed a complex consisting of CdTe QDs as the donor and 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (ACA) as the triplet acceptor, and studied the TET pathways and enhanced singlet oxygen generation properties. The results from steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy demonstrate efficient TET with a total efficiency of over 80% from photoexcited CdTe QDs to ACA. Dynamical analysis clearly indicates two distinctive TET channels - hot electron exchange and thermalized electron exchange - mediating the TET process in the CdTe QDs-ACA complex. The TET efficiencies from hot electron exchange at high energetic levels and thermalized electron exchange on the lowest exciton state can reach ∼27% and ∼85%, respectively, following 530 nm excitation. This efficient TET endows the CdTe QDs-ACA complex with a good capability of generating singlet oxygen species with a yield of up to ∼59%. These findings contribute further insights to the mechanisms of interfacial TET processes and are significant in designing efficient TET systems based on semiconductor nanoparticles and triplet molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Chi
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Jia Xu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Shida Luo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xia Ran
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Pingan Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Yulu He
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Yanmin Kuang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Lijun Guo
- School of Physics and Electronics, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, International Joint Research Laboratory of New Energy Materials and Devices of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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5
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Gong N, Xu B, Mo J, Man T, Qiu J. Defect engineering of inorganic sensitizers for efficient triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion. TRENDS IN CHEMISTRY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trechm.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
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VanOrman ZA, Weiss R, Bieber AS, Chen B, Nienhaus L. Mechanistic insight into CdSe nanoplatelet-sensitized upconversion: size and stacking induced effects. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:322-325. [PMID: 36511180 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc04694f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) have been reported as triplet sensitizers for photon upconversion (UC). However, their UC quantum yields lag behind more conventional systems. Here, we take advantage of their one-dimensional quantum confinement to decouple effects caused by the energetic driving force and lateral size. A surprising anti-correlation between the power threshold Ith and the UC quantum yield based on the NPL size is found. We attribute this result to two distinct triplet-triplet annihilation mechanisms based on the NPL lateral dimension and degree of NPL stacking-mediated either by molecular diffusion or triplet energy diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A VanOrman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Rachel Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Alexander S Bieber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Banghao Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Lea Nienhaus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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7
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Sullivan CM, Nienhaus L. Recharging upconversion: revealing rubrene's replacement. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:17254-17261. [PMID: 36374134 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05309h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
One of the major limitations of solid-state perovskite-sensitized photon upconversion to date is that the only annihilator successfully paired with the perovskite sensitizer has been rubrene, raising the question of whether this appraoch of triplet sensitization is universal or limited in scope. Additionally, the inherent energetic mismatch between the perovskite bandgap and the rubrene triplet energy has restricted the apparent anti-Stokes shift achievable in the upconversion process. To increase the apparent anti-Stokes shift for upconversion processes, anthracene derivates are of particular interest due to their higher triplet energies. Here, we demonstrate successful sensitization of the triplet state of 1-chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene using the established formamidinium methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite FA0.85MA0.15PbI3, resulting in upconverted emission at 550 nm under 780 nm excitation. We draw a direct comparison to rubrene to unravel the underlying differences in the upconversion processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette M Sullivan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Lea Nienhaus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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Weiss R, VanOrman ZA, Sullivan CM, Nienhaus L. A Sensitizer of Purpose: Generating Triplet Excitons with Semiconductor Nanocrystals. ACS MATERIALS AU 2022; 2:641-654. [PMID: 36855545 PMCID: PMC9928406 DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.2c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The process of photon upconversion promises importance for many optoelectronic applications, as it can result in higher efficiencies and more effective photon management. Upconversion via triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) occurs at low incident powers and at high efficiencies, requirements for integration into existing optoelectronic devices. Semiconductor nanocrystals are a diverse class of triplet sensitizers with advantages over traditional molecular sensitizers such as energetic tunability and minimal energy loss during the triplet sensitization process. In this Perspective, we review current progress in semiconductor nanocrystal triplet sensitization, specifically focusing on the nanocrystal, the ligand shell which surrounds the nanocrystal, and progress in solid-state sensitization. Finally, we discuss potential areas of improvement which could result in more efficient upconversion systems sensitized by semiconductor nanocrystals. Specifically, we focus on the development of solid-state TTA upconversion systems, elucidation of the energy transfer mechanisms from nanocrystal to transmitter ligand which underpin the upconversion process and propose novel configurations of nanocrystal-sensitized systems.
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9
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Imperiale CJ, Green PB, Hasham M, Wilson MWB. Ultra-small PbS nanocrystals as sensitizers for red-to-blue triplet-fusion upconversion. Chem Sci 2021; 12:14111-14120. [PMID: 34760195 PMCID: PMC8565365 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc04330g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Photon upconversion is a strategy to generate high-energy excitations from low-energy photon input, enabling advanced architectures for imaging and photochemistry. Here, we show that ultra-small PbS nanocrystals can sensitize red-to-blue triplet-fusion upconversion with a large anti-Stokes shift (ΔE = 1.04 eV), and achieve max-efficiency upconversion at near-solar fluences (I th = 220 mW cm-2) despite endothermic triplet sensitization. This system facilitates the photo-initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate using only long-wavelength light (λ exc: 637 nm); a demonstration of nanocrystal-sensitized upconversion photochemistry. Time-resolved spectroscopy and kinetic modelling clarify key loss channels, highlighting the benefit of long-lifetime nanocrystal sensitizers, but revealing that many (48%) excitons that reach triplet-extracting carboxyphenylanthracene ligands decay before they can transfer to free-floating acceptors-emphasizing the need to address the reduced lifetimes that we determine for molecular triplets near the nanocrystal surface. Finally, we find that the inferred thermodynamics of triplet sensitization from these ultra-small PbS quantum dots are surprisingly favourable-completing an advantageous suite of properties for upconversion photochemistry-and do not vary significantly across the ensemble, which indicates minimal effects from nanocrystal heterogeneity. Together, our demonstration and study of red-to-blue upconversion using ultra-small PbS nanocrystals in a quasi-equilibrium, mildly endothermic sensitization scheme offer design rules to advance implementations of triplet fusion, especially where large anti-Stokes wavelength shifts are sought.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippe B Green
- University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry Toronto ON M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Minhal Hasham
- University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry Toronto ON M5S 3H6 Canada
| | - Mark W B Wilson
- University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry Toronto ON M5S 3H6 Canada
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Gao C, Wong WWH, Qin Z, Lo SC, Namdas EB, Dong H, Hu W. Application of Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion in Organic Optoelectronic Devices: Advances and Perspectives. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2100704. [PMID: 34596295 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202100704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Organic semiconductor materials have been widely used in various optoelectronic devices due to their rich optical and/or electrical properties, which are highly related to their excited states. Therefore, how to manage and utilize the excited states in organic semiconductors is essential for the realization of high-performance optoelectronic devices. Triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion is a unique process of converting two non-emissive triplet excitons to one singlet exciton with higher energy. Efficient optical-to-electrical devices can be realized by harvesting sub-bandgap photons through TTA-based upconversion. In electrical-to-optical devices, triplets generated after the combination of electrons and holes also can be efficiently utilized via TTA, which resulted in a high internal conversion efficiency of 62.5%. Currently, many interesting explorations and significant advances have been demonstrated in these fields. In this review, a comprehensive summary of these intriguing advances on developing efficient TTA upconversion materials and their application in optoelectronic devices is systematically given along with some discussions. Finally, the key challenges and perspectives of TTA upconversion systems for further improvement for optoelectronic devices and other related research directions are provided. This review hopes to provide valuable guidelines for future related research and advancement in organic optoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wallace W H Wong
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Zhengsheng Qin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shih-Chun Lo
- Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Ebinazar B Namdas
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Huanli Dong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenping Hu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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Lai R, Liu Y, Luo X, Chen L, Han Y, Lv M, Liang G, Chen J, Zhang C, Di D, Scholes GD, Castellano FN, Wu K. Shallow distance-dependent triplet energy migration mediated by endothermic charge-transfer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1532. [PMID: 33750766 PMCID: PMC7943758 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21561-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional wisdom posits that spin-triplet energy transfer (TET) is only operative over short distances because Dexter-type electronic coupling for TET rapidly decreases with increasing donor acceptor separation. While coherent mechanisms such as super-exchange can enhance the magnitude of electronic coupling, they are equally attenuated with distance. Here, we report endothermic charge-transfer-mediated TET as an alternative mechanism featuring shallow distance-dependence and experimentally demonstrated it using a linked nanocrystal-polyacene donor acceptor pair. Donor-acceptor electronic coupling is quantitatively controlled through wavefunction leakage out of the core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals, while the charge/energy transfer driving force is conserved. Attenuation of the TET rate as a function of shell thickness clearly follows the trend of hole probability density on nanocrystal surfaces rather than the product of electron and hole densities, consistent with endothermic hole-transfer-mediated TET. The shallow distance-dependence afforded by this mechanism enables efficient TET across distances well beyond the nominal range of Dexter or super-exchange paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runchen Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yangyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Lan Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaoyao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guijie Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Hubei University of Art and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Jinquan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunfeng Zhang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dawei Di
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gregory D Scholes
- Frick Chemistry Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Felix N Castellano
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kaifeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
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12
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Zhao G, Chen Z, Xiong K, Liang G, Zhang J, Wu K. Triplet energy migration pathways from PbS quantum dots to surface-anchored polyacenes controlled by charge transfer. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:1303-1310. [PMID: 33409530 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07837a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sensitization of molecular triplets using PbS quantum dots (QDs), followed by efficient triplet fusion, has been developed as a novel route to near-infrared-to-visible photon upconversion. Fundamentally, however, the mechanisms of triplet energy transfer (TET) from PbS QDs to surface-anchored polyacence acceptors remain highly debated. Here we study and side-by-side compare the kinetic pathways of TET from photoexcited PbS QDs to surface-anchored tetracene and pentacene derivatives using broad-band transient absorption spectroscopy spanning multiple decades of timescales. We find that the TET pathways are dictated by charge-transfer energetics at the QD/molecule interface. Charge transfer from QDs to tetracene was strongly endothermic, and hence spectroscopy showed one-step transformation from QD excited states to tetracene triplets in 302 ns. In contrast, hole transfer from QDs to pentacene was thermodynamically favoured and was confirmed by the formation of pentacene cation radicals in 13 ps, which subsequently evolved into pentacene triplets through a 101 ns electron transfer process. These results not only are consistent with a recently-established framework of charge-transfer-mediated TET, but also provide a route to manipulate triplet sensitization using lead-salt QDs for efficient upconversion of near-infrared photons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China. and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zongwei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China.
| | - Kao Xiong
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
| | - Guijie Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei 441053, China.
| | - Jianbing Zhang
- School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
| | - Kaifeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China.
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13
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Lai R, Wu K. Red-to-blue photon upconversion based on a triplet energy transfer process not retarded but enabled by shell-coated quantum dots. J Chem Phys 2020; 153:114701. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0023052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Runchen Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Kaifeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics and Dynamics Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
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14
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Ronchi A, Capitani C, Pinchetti V, Gariano G, Zaffalon ML, Meinardi F, Brovelli S, Monguzzi A. High Photon Upconversion Efficiency with Hybrid Triplet Sensitizers by Ultrafast Hole-Routing in Electronic-Doped Nanocrystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2002953. [PMID: 32761660 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Low-power photon upconversion (UC) based on sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (sTTA) is considered as the most promising upward wavelength-shifting technique to enhance the light-harvesting capability of solar devices. Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with conjugated organic ligands have been recently proposed to extend the limited light-harvesting capability of molecular absorbers. Key to their functioning is efficient energy transfer (ET) from the NC to the triplet state of the ligands that sensitize free annihilator moieties responsible for the upconverted luminescence. The ET efficiency is typically limited by parasitic processes, above all nonradiative hole-transfer to the ligand highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Here, a new exciton-manipulation approach is demonstrated that enables loss-free ET by electronically doping CdSe NCs with gold impurities that introduce a hole-accepting intragap state above the HOMO energy of 9-anthracene acid ligands. Upon photoexcitation, the NC photoholes are rapidly routed to the Au-level, producing a long-lived bound exciton in perfect resonance with the ligand triplet. This hinders hole-transfer leading to ≈100% efficient ET that translates into an upconversion quantum yield as high as ≈12% (≈24% in the normalized definition), which is the highest performance for NC-based upconverters based on sTTA to date and approaches the record efficiency of optimized organic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Ronchi
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
| | - Chiara Capitani
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
- Glass to Power SpA, Via Fortunato Zeni 8, Rovereto, I-38068, Italy
| | - Valerio Pinchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
| | | | - Matteo L Zaffalon
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
| | - Francesco Meinardi
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
- Glass to Power SpA, Via Fortunato Zeni 8, Rovereto, I-38068, Italy
| | - Sergio Brovelli
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
- Glass to Power SpA, Via Fortunato Zeni 8, Rovereto, I-38068, Italy
| | - Angelo Monguzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, Milan, 20125, Italy
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15
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R S L, Kurup GB, Vennapusa SR. Identification of a receiver triplet state in the ultrafast intersystem crossing of carbonylpyrenes. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:6145-6153. [PMID: 32124884 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp06857k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The near-unity triplet quantum yield of photoexcited carbonyl functionalized pyrenes is theoretically investigated. The estimated energetics of singlet-triplet manifolds and relevant spin-orbit coupling parameters strongly suggest triplet state formation via the S1→ T4/T5 pathway. Quantum wavepacket dynamics of triplet manifolds within the linear vibronic coupling approach reveal that the receiver triplet state would undergo rapid internal conversion decay to the lower triplet state(s), facilitating efficient triplet generation by minimizing the reverse intersystem crossing possibilities. On the basis of these results, a unified mechanism is proposed to describe the ultrafast intersystem crossing process in these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekshmi R S
- School of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM), Maruthamala P.O., Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram 695551, Kerala, India.
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