Diblock copolymer micelles and supported films with noncovalently incorporated chromophores: a modular platform for efficient energy transfer.

Adams, Peter G; Collins, Aaron M; Sahin, Tuba; Subramanian, Vijaya; Urban, Volker S; Vairaprakash, Pothiappan; Tian, Yongming; Evans, Deborah G et al. · Nano Lett · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We report generation of modular, artificial light-harvesting assemblies where an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butadiene), serves as the framework for noncovalent organization of BODIPY-based energy donor and bacteriochlorin-based energy acceptor chromophores. The assemblies are adaptive and form well-defined micelles in aqueous solution and high-quality monolayer and bilayer films on solid supports, with the latter showing greater than 90% energy transfer efficiency. This study lays the groundwork for further development of modular, polymer-based materials for light harvesting and other photonic applications.