Inter-ligand energy transfer in dye chromophores attached to high bandgap SiO nanoparticles

Artificial light harvesters require ordered arrangement of chromophores. We covalently attach three organic chromophore ligands to silicon dioxide nanoparticles. This allows us to study inter-ligand energy transfer when attached to SiO 2 nanoparticles, creating a simple system with a large ratio of donors to acceptors. Using steady-state and transient spectroscopy measurements we quantify this energy transfer between ligands. We show a maximum transfer efficiency of 30% and measure the 2D diffusion length of anthracene carboxylic acid on SiO 2 to be between 0.6 and 2.2 nm. Simple artificial light harvesting networks can be created by the covalent attachment of organic chromophores to silicon dioxide nanoparticles.