Long-Range Exciton Migration in Coassemblies: Achieving High Photostability without Disrupting the Electron Donation of Fluorene Oligomers

In this work, photostable coassemblies from a nonphotostable fluorene oligomer (the energy donor) and a photostable oligomer (the energy acceptor) are fabricated. Long-range exciton migration over a net distance of about 370 energy-donor molecules to energy acceptors is demonstrated in such coassemblies. The fast and long energy migration allows harvesting of the excitation energy of energy donors by embedding a small number of energy acceptors for photostability enhancement. Importantly, embedding a small number of energy acceptors in coassemblies causes a negligible negative influence on the electron donation of energy donors that are desired in practical applications. The advantages of the coassemblies fabricated, that is, high photostability without disrupting the electron donation of energy donors, are well illustrated in fluorescence detection of trace explosives where prolonged working life and improved detection capacity are achieved.

Automated summary

In this work, photostable coassemblies were fabricated by utilizing a nonphotostable fluorene oligomer as the energy donor and a photostable oligomer as the energy acceptor. Long-range exciton migration and enhanced photostability were demonstrated, while maintaining electron donation of energy donors. These coassemblies showed improved fluorescence detection of trace explosives with prolonged working life and enhanced detection capacity.