In recent years, sensitization of molecular triplets using inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals <i>via</i> triplet energy transfer (TET) has emerged as a new area with potential applications ranging from photochemical photon upconversion to organic synthesis. We investigated the fundamental mechanisms of the inorganic/organic TET by building well-defined model systems and applying state-of-the-art time-resolved spectroscopy tools. In doing so, we uncovered the essential role of quantum confinement of nanocrystals in facilitating electronic coupling required for triplet energy transfer. We also established a unified picture of charge-transfer-mediated triplet energy transfer mechanisms, which greatly expanded the scope of molecular triplet sensitization using nanocrystals. Additionally, we demonstrated that nontoxic nanocrystals such as CuInS<sub>2</sub> and InP were also capable of sensitizing molecular triplets for efficient photon upconversion. These contributions will serve as a roadmap for the design of nanocrystal-molecule triplet sensitization systems for photon upconversion as well as many other photochemical applications.

Triplet energy transfer from semiconductor nanocrystals to organic molecules: Fundamentals and applications

ACS Spring 2022

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