Supramolecular polymer-directed light-harvesting system based on a stepwise energy transfer cascade

The design and construction of an artificial light-harvesting system in water by mimicking the energy transfer cascade in natural photosynthesis are of significant importance. Herein, we report an efficient two-step sequential energy transfer system based on quadruple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymeric nanoparticles. By loading two types of hydrophobic dyes as energy acceptors, excitation energy from the supramolecular polymer could be funneled efficiently to the final acceptor through the relay acceptor. The system exhibits tunable multicolor emission from blue through yellow to red, as well as white light emission.

Automated summary

The study presents an efficient artificial light-harvesting system that achieves tunable multicolor emission through sequential energy transfer.