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Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Aqueous colloidal acene nanoparticles: a new platform for studying singlet fission
Joseph N Mastron1, Sean T Roberts, R Eric McAnally
1Department of Chemistry and the Center for Energy Nanoscience, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|June 25, 2013
Summary
Singlet fission in 5,12-diphenyltetracene (DPT) nanoparticles was studied. These nanoparticles exhibit fission but yield fewer triplets compared to disordered films, suggesting molecular arrangement impacts the process.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Singlet fission is a process where one high-energy singlet excited state generates two lower-energy triplet excited states.
- While studied in molecular crystals, colloidal nanoparticles offer new avenues for investigating singlet fission in solution.
- Understanding molecular arrangement and charge transfer is crucial for optimizing singlet fission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize aqueous colloidal nanoparticles of 5,12-diphenyltetracene (DPT).
- To investigate the singlet fission process in DPT nanoparticles.
- To compare the triplet yield of DPT nanoparticles with disordered DPT films.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of aqueous colloidal DPT nanoparticles.
- UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy to monitor molecular association.
- Transient absorption and time-resolved emission spectroscopy to study photoexcitation dynamics.
Main Results:
- DPT nanoparticles showed absorption features between monomeric DPT and disordered films.
- Spectroscopic features evolved over time, indicating increased molecular association within nanoparticles.
- Photoexcited DPT nanoparticles underwent singlet fission, but with a lower triplet yield than disordered films.
Conclusions:
- Colloidal DPT nanoparticles can be synthesized and exhibit singlet fission.
- The molecular arrangement within nanoparticles influences the singlet fission efficiency.
- Further research is needed to optimize nanoparticle structure for enhanced triplet generation.
