Efficient Förster energy transfer from phosphorescent organic molecules to J-aggregate thin films

Abstract

We demonstrate efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a thin film of phosphorescent dye, fac tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium (Ir(ppy)3), to a thin film of J-aggregated cyanine dye, 5,6-dichloro-2-[3-[5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl)-2(3H)-benzimidazolidene]-1-propenyl]-1-ethyl-3-(3-sulfopropyl) benzimidazolium hydroxide (TDBC). The measurement is performed on a planar sandwich structure with the layer of Ir(ppy)3 and the layer of J-aggregates separated by a uniform optically inert spacer layer. Quenching of Ir(ppy)3 photoluminescence due to FRET of Ir(ppy)3 excitons to J-aggregates enables us to calculate the experimentally-determined Förster radius of 3.8 nm, which is in good agreement with the theoretically calculated value.

Polina Anikeeva

Professor in Materials Science and Engineering
Professor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Associate Director, Research Laboratory of Electronics

My goal is to combine the current knowledge of biology and nanoelectronics to develop materials and devices for minimally invasive treatments for neurological and neuromuscular diseases.