Efficient energy transfer from peripheral chromophores to the self-assembled zinc chlorin rod antenna:: A bioinspired light-harvesting system to bridge the "green gap"

An artificial light-harvesting rod aggregate based on zinc chlorin and covalently linked naphthalene bisimide chromophore has been realized by self-assembly. Efficient energy transfer (φET ≥ 0.99) takes place upon excitation at 620 nm from peripheral naphthalene bisimides to the zinc chlorin rod aggregate backbone. The appended naphthalene bisimide dyes improve the total LH efficiency of the rod aggregate by 26%. Thus, the present bioinspired antenna system is promising for application in nanodevices for the effective utilization of solar energy by bridging the "green gap". Copyright © 2006 American Chemical Society.