Nanostructured organosilicon luminophores (NOLs) are branched molecular structures consisting of two types of covalently bonded via silicon atoms organic luminophores with efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between them (Figure 1).1,2 Organosilicon chemistry allows designing almost unlimited number of NOLs using various donor and acceptor organic luminophores, like “LEGO” blocks. That is possible because silicon atom breaks conjugation between any organic luminophores, attached to it, and due to effect of “dendritic molecular antennae” reported for organosilicon molecules. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations using the TD DFT approach on the B3LYP/6-31G[d] level allowed us to explain optical properties of NOLs. They were in a good agreement with the experimentally determined spectral data as well as photoluminescence kinetics measured by means of time-correlated single photon counting technique. NOLs demonstrate faster photoluminescence decay times compared to that of their constituent acceptors most probably due to inductive influence of the donor luminophores via coulombic interactions. NOLs combine the best properties of organic luminophores and inorganic quantum dots: high absorption cross-section, excellent photoluminescence quantum yield, fast luminescence decay time, good processability and low toxicity. A smart choice of organic luminophores allowed us to design and synthesize a library of NOLs, absorbing from VUV to visible region and emitting at the desired wavelengths from 390 to 650 nm. They can be used as highly efficient and fast wavelength shifters in plastic scintillators,1 noble gas detectors,3 organic light emitting diodes4 and other photonic applications. This work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grants 13-03-01315 and 13-03-12451) and Russian Science Foundation (grant 15-12-30031). References: [1] S.A. Ponomarenko, et. al. Sci. Rep. 4, 6549 (2014) [2] M.S. Skorotetcky, et. al. Silicon 7(2), 191-200 (2015) [3] D.Y. Akimov, et. al. Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. A, 695, 403-406 (2012) [4] Y.N. Luponosov, at. al. Org. Photonics Photovolt. 3, 148-155 (2015)

Nanostructured organosilicon luminophores as a molecular “lego” for engineering of highly efficient light-emitting materials

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.