Research Projects

The development of multi-functional supramolecular emissive nano-materials has gained significant attention in recent years. Inspired by natural photosystems, this study proposes designing an artificial supramolecular organic-amine cage as a platform to fabricate artificial light-harvesting systems (LHSs) in the aqueous medium. The cages will incorporate different functionalities into a single molecular system, using reversible imine bond formation and a series of 3-D functional organic cages based on aggregation-induced emissive units of tetra-aryl pyrazole (TAP). The cages will be photo-reversible, with stimuli-responsive chromophores of azobenzenes or dithienylethenes in the backbone. Non-covalent interactions are preferred over covalent interactions between energy donor and energy acceptor chromophores in designing efficient artificial LHSs. The cages will be explored as efficient artificial LHSs, featuring a multi-step sequential energy transfer (SET) process and multiple channel communications between initial and final chromophores. The harvested light energy can be utilized for chemical conversions, making the artificial LHSs heterogeneous photocatalysts. By mimicking stimuli-responsive activities of natural photosystems, refined light-harvesting functions can be achieved as a clean source of energy for chemical conversion. The design and synthesis of a new class of multifunctional emissive systems executing various functions are crucial for the development of smart optoelectronic materials.