Bikash Jana

Multichromophoric Organic Molecules Encapsulated in Polymer Nanoparticles for Artificial Light Harvesting

We designed a self-assembled multichromophoric organic molecular arrangement inside polymer nanoparticles for light-harvesting antenna materials. The self-assembled molecular arrangement of quaterthiophene molecules was found to be an efficient light-absorbing antenna material, followed by energy transfer to Nile red (NR) dye molecules, which was confined in polymer nanoparticles. The efficiency of the antenna effect was found to be 3.2 and the effective molar extinction coefficient of acceptor dye molecules was found to be enhanced, which indicates an efficient light-harvesting system. Based on this energy-transfer process, tunable photo emission and white light emission has been generated with 14 % quantum yield. Such self-assembled oligothiophene-NR systems encapsulated in polymer nanoparticles may open up new possibilities for fabrication of artificial light harvesting system.

Photoswitching and Thermoresponsive Properties of Conjugated Multi-chromophore Nanostructured Materials

Conjugated multi-chromophore organic nanostructured materials have recently emerged as a new class of functional materials for developing efficient light-harvesting, photosensitization, photocatalysis, and sensor devices because of their unique photophysical and photochemical properties. Here, we demonstrate the formation of various nanostructures (fibers and flakes) related to the molecular arrangement (H-aggregation) of quaterthiophene (QTH) molecules and their influence on the photophysical properties. XRD studies confirm that the fiber structure consists of >95% crystalline material, whereas the flake structure is almost completely amorphous and the microstrain in flake-shaped QTH is significantly higher than that of QTH in solution. The influence of the aggregation of the QTH molecules on their photoswitching and thermoresponsive photoluminescence properties is revealed. Time-resolved anisotropic studies further unveil the relaxation dynamics and restricted chromophore properties of the self-assembled nano/microstructured morphologies. Further investigations should pave the way for the future development of organic electronics, photovoltaics, and light-harvesting systems based on π-conjugated multi-chromophore organic nanostructured materials.

Light Harvesting and Photocurrent Generation in a Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticle‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite

Polymer-graphene nanocomposites are promising candidates for light harvesting applications such as photocatalysis and photovoltaics, where significant charge separation occurs due to photoinduced electron transfer. Much attention has been paid to using reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) as template for anchoring various nanomaterials due to its efficient electron accepting and transport properties. Here, poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) nanoparticles are prepared from MEH-PPV polymer and the change in photophysical properties upon formation of polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) from the molecular state are investigated by using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. Nanocomposites are constructed by adding hexadecylamine-functionalized positively charged MEH-PPV PNPs to a solution of negatively charged r-GO. Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy are also used to study the electronic interactions between PNPs and r-GO. Ultrafast femtosecond up-conversion and transient absorption spectroscopy unequivocally confirms the electron transfer process from the excited state of MEH-PPV PNPs to r-GO at the interface of the nanocomposite. Analysis reveals that the charge separation time is found to be pulse-width-limited (<100 fs). Due to charge separation in these nanocomposites, an increase (2.6 fold) of photocurrent under visible light illumination is obtained. The fundamental understanding of the charge transfer dynamics affords new opportunities to design efficient light-harvesting systems based on inorganic-organic hybrids.

Photon Harvesting in Conjugated Polymer-Based Functional Nanoparticles

The design of new generation light-harvesting systems based on conjugated polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) is an emerging field of research to convert solar energy into renewable energy. In this Perspective, we focus on the understanding of the light harvesting processes like exciton dynamics, energy transfer, antenna effect, charge carrier dynamics, and other related processes of conjugated polymer-based functional nanomaterials. Spectroscopic investigations unveil the rotational dynamics of the dye molecules inside of PNPs and exciton dynamics of the self-assembled structures. A detailed understanding of the cascade energy transfer for white light and singlet oxygen generation in multiple fluorophores containing a PNP system by time-resolved spectroscopy is highlighted. Finally, ultrafast spectroscopic investigations provide direct insight into the impacts of electron and hole transfer at the interface in the hybrid materials for photocatalysis and photocurrent generation to construct efficient light-harvesting systems.

Perspective of dye-encapsulated conjugated polymer nanoparticles for potential applications

Design of highly luminescent nanomaterials is an emerging area of research for photonic and bio-photonic applications. Nowadays, dye-encapsulated polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) are found to be very promising alternative next-generation luminescent nanomaterials because of extraordinary brightness, easy synthesis, higher photo-stability and nontoxic behaviour. Herein, we have highlighted the dynamics of the fluorophore molecules inside PNPs. Furthermore, we discuss the fundamental correlation of particle brightness with the size of the PNPs as well as population of the dye molecules inside the PNPs. Considering the resonance energy transfer process, generation of white light by varying the dye concentration and singlet oxygen generation using photosensitizer dye have been described. Finally, we discuss the importance of hybrids of conjugated PNPs for potential light harvesting systems such as photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications.Graphical Abstract