From solar harvesting to sensing, there is a need to capture low-energy electromagnetic radiations and turn them into light of higher energy, a process otherwise known as light upconversion (UC). Specifically, sensitized UC via triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) is a promising photophysical process which has been known for decades but only resurged recently in the solid state. Interestingly, TTA-UC relies on a complex cascade of energy transfers between two chromophores with carefully matched electronic levels. One of the limiting factors for this cascade is the inherent reduced mobility in polymers. This contribution will cover our latest realizations in the to overcome these limitations and sketch out the guiding principles upon which they are founded. Multiple systems will be presented such as upconverting (nano)particles, organogels, and nanostructured mixes. This presentation will serve to establish some of the structure-property relationships of upconverting polymeric materials.

Light on an upward trajectory: Sensitized light upconversion in polymers

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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