Inter-ligand energy transfer in dye chromophores attached to high bandgap SiO2 nanoparticles

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Jul 23;55(60):8804-8807. doi: 10.1039/c9cc03412a.

Abstract

Artificial light harvesters require ordered arrangement of chromophores. We covalently attach three organic chromophore ligands to silicon dioxide nanoparticles. This allows us to study inter-ligand energy transfer when attached to SiO2 nanoparticles, creating a simple system with a large ratio of donors to acceptors. Using steady-state and transient spectroscopy measurements we quantify this energy transfer between ligands. We show a maximum transfer efficiency of 30% and measure the 2D diffusion length of anthracene carboxylic acid on SiO2 to be between 0.6 and 2.2 nm.