posted on 2023-01-10, 13:00authored byYipei Wang, Yingshan Lai, Tianqi Ren, Jiahong Tang, Yang Gao, Yutao Geng, Jiali Zhang, Xinxian Ma
A method for preparing new artificial
light-harvesting systems
(ALHSs) based on supramolecular metallogels was proposed. Various
metal ions were introduced into a solution of a bi-benzimidazole compound
(P) in ethylene glycol, and P exhibited high selectivity toward Al3+, as indicated by the noticeable red shift (49 nm) observed
in the fluorescence spectra of P after the addition of Al3+. Interestingly, the gelator, P, could self-assemble into a stable
supramolecular gel (P-gel) that exhibits strong aggregation-induced
emission in ethylene glycol. Thus, two ALHSs were successfully prepared
in a gel environment. The P–Al3+ assembly acts as
the donor in the ALHSs, while BODIPY 505/515 (BDP) and rhodamine 6G
(Rh6G), which are loaded onto the P–Al3+ assembly,
act as acceptors. In these two diverse systems, the occurrence of
an energy transfer process is confirmed from the P–Al3+ assembly to BDP and Rh6G. The findings of this study will enable
the design and fabrication of ALHSs.