Anthryl-cinnamonitrile-based supramolecular artificial light-harvesting systems with high efficiency fabricated in aqueous solution

Two highly efficient artificial light-harvesting systems (ALHSs) in water have been successfully fabricated through the supramolecular assembly of an anthryl-cinnamonitrile derivative (ABTA), a water-soluble pillar[5] arene (WP5), and two conventional fluorescent dye molecules (Nile Red (NiR) and sulforhodamine (SR101)). The fabricated ALHSs display efficient energy transfer efficiency (85.7% for WP5 superset of ABTA-NiR and 83.2% for WP5 superset of ABTA-SR101) and possess ultrahigh donor-acceptor molar ratio ([ABTA]/[NiR] = 250:1 and [ABTA]/[SR101] = 250:1). Significantly, the formed WP5 superset of ABTA nanoparticles enhance the aggregation-induced emission ability of ABTA and function as a brilliant donor to transfer the harvested energy to acceptors NiR and SR101 in aqueous solution with high antenna effects (21.8 for WP5 superset of ABTA-NiR and 26.1 for WP5D superset of BTASR-101).

Automated summary

Two highly efficient artificial light-harvesting systems have been fabricated in water through supramolecular assembly, showing efficient energy transfer and ultra-high donor-acceptor molar ratio. The systems enhance the aggregation-induced emission ability of ABTA and transfer harvested energy to acceptors NiR and SR101 with high antenna effects.