Controlling Spin-Exchange Coupling and Energy Transfer at the Organic-Lanthanide Nanoparticle Interface

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Our recent demonstration that it is possible to control molecular triplet dynamics by coupling organic molecules to lanthanide-doped inorganic insulating nanoparticles (Han et al, Nature 2020), opens new possibilities for the application of these nanosystems in applications in optoelectronics, photon frequency conversion, bio-medical imaging and photocatalysis. This project will explore the fundamental mechanisms of spin-exchange Coupling and energy transfer between the spin-one molecular triplet states and the lanthanide ions. Key to gaining mechanistic insights is the precise control of the interface between the molecules and the lanthanide nanoparticles. To achieve this molecular ligands will be designed and synthesized in the Bronstein Group (Chemistry), to control the length scales and molecular orientation of the wavefunctions at these interfaces. The self-assembly of these ligands will be characterised with techniques including FTIR, NMR and neutron scattering. The photophysical and spin properties of the system will then be studied via steady-state and time resolved spectroscopy in the Rao Group (Physics). We seek to understand the fundamental nature of wavefunctions in these newly discovered systems and then use the insights gained in device applications including systems for photon up and down conversion, imaging and photocatalysis.