Enhanced Photocurrent Generation by Forster Resonance Energy Transfer between Phospholipid-Assembled Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes and Nile Red

초록

We show that Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a conjugated oligoelectrolyte based on distyrylstilbene (DSSN+) and Nile red can enhance photocurrent generation when the photoagents are assembled vertically on gold electrodes. DSSN+ and Nile red intercalated into phospholipid membranes of unilamellar vesicles were found to form a useful FRET system because of the solvatochromic properties of DSSN +, and the accompanying photophysical properties were suitable for FRET with Nile red. As a result, a FRET efficiency of 93-94% was achieved, as shown by steady-state and time-resolved spectra in vesicle solutions. When Nile red was tethered in a self-assembled monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on gold electrodes and phospholipid-assembled DSSN+ was sequentially organized on the MUA layer, the anodic photocurrent increased notably, reaching about 815 nA/cm(2) by virtue of FRET between the vertically aligned dyes.

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