Control over excitons and their dynamics enables energy to be directed and harnessed for light harvesting and molecular electronics. Such control is challenging in condensed phase systems due to the large number of degrees of freedom. Here, we introduce a DNA-based platform that spatially organizes cyanine chromophores with nanoscale precision to construct tunable excitonic systems. We characterize these constructs with 2D electronic spectroscopy and single-molecule spectroscopy and show that this platform enables independent control over the coupling among the chromophores and between the chromophores and the environment. In a more flexible environment, energy transport efficiency was enhanced, highlighting the key role of the environment in driving exciton dynamics.

Controlling exciton transport using synthetic DNA scaffolds

ACS Fall 2021

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