Towards artificial photosynthesis: Supramolecular, donor-acceptor, porphyrin-and phthalocyanine/carbon nanostructure ensembles

The present review highlights the recent progresses in the preparation of supramolecular, donor-acceptor CD-A) porphyrin (Por)- and phthalocyanine (Pc)/carbon nanostructure systems assembled by using non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, metal-ligand, cation-crown ether or pi-pi interactions. The use of supramolecular interactions as a tool to promote the nanoscopic order of covalently-linked, Por- or Pc-C-60 fullerene systems over large length scales will also be reviewed. The photophysical analysis of most of the D-A, supramolecular ensembles described will also be presented with the aim of rationalizing the effect on the photoinduced electron/energy-transfer dynamics of the structural and electronic features of these self-assembled systems and the recognition motif(s) used to self-assemble them. For some of the supramolecular systems reviewed, their incorporation as active components in photovoltaic devices will also be discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.