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Supramolecular Nanoassemblies Harness Radical Excited-State Cascade Electron Transfer for Selective CO2
Kumari Raksha1, Sakshi Chawla2, Sonu Pratap Chaudhary1,3
1Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Kolkata, India.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|January 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel, metal-free system using rhodamine B and a cobalt complex to efficiently convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into syngas or methane using light. This supramolecular assembly advances sustainable solar fuel production.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Photocatalysis
- Solar Fuels
Background:
- Efficient multielectron CO2 photoreduction is crucial for solar fuel generation but remains challenging.
- Noble metal-free systems are highly desirable for sustainable applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a noble metal-free supramolecular system for efficient CO2 photoreduction.
- To engineer a core-shell nano/micro-assembly for enhanced charge migration and suppressed recombination.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a supramolecular ion-pair assembly using rhodamine B (RB) and a cobalt(II) complex (1Co).
- Utilized optical spectroscopy, femtosecond-nanosecond transient absorption, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and 2D mass spectrometry.
- Investigated CO2 photoreduction under single-light and dual-light irradiation.
Main Results:
- The core-shell assembly facilitated efficient light-driven electron transfer and charge migration.
- Dual-light excitation enabled high-energy radical anion excited states (RB•-*) for cascade electron transfer.
- Achieved selective CO2 photoreduction to syngas (single-light) and methane (dual-light).
Conclusions:
- Introduced a generalizable supramolecular ion-pairing strategy for donor-acceptor architectures.
- Demonstrated a novel approach for controlling CO2 photoreduction products using light.
- Advanced the field of sustainable solar fuel generation through efficient photocatalysis.
Keywords:
CO2 photoreductioncascade electron transferion pair supramolecular assemblyradical anion excited statesMore Related Videos
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