Charge separation, photochemically

Although the electrostatic potential on the surface of the polyelectrolyte effectively prevents the diffusional back electron transfer, it is unable to retard the very fast charge recombination of a geminate ion pair formed in the primary process within the photochemical cage. Compartmentalization of a photoactive chromophore in the microphase structure of the amphiphilic polyelectrolyte provides a separated donor-acceptor system, in which the charge recombination is effectively suppressed. Thus, with a compartmentalized system, it is possible to achieve efficient charge separation. 

Recently, photochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of fullerene (Cto) have been widely studied [60]. Photoinduced electron-transfer reactions of donor-Qo linked molecules have also been reported [61-63]. In a series of donor-Cfio linked systems, some of the compounds show novel properties, which accelerate photoinduced charge separation and decelerate charge recombination [61, 62]. These properties have been explained by the remarkably small reorganization energy in their electron-transfer reactions. The porphyrin-Qo linked compounds, where the porphyrin moieties act as both donors and sensitizers, have been extensively studied [61, 62]. 

Photochemically induced charge separation from the CT complex by visible light irradiation. 

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) is often responsible for fluorescence quenching. This process is involved in many organic photochemical reactions. It plays a major role in photosynthesis and in artificial systems for the conversion of solar energy based on photoinduced charge separation. Fluorescence quenching experiments provide a useful insight into the electron transfer processes occurring in these systems. 

Milanesio ME, Alvarez MG, Rivarola V, Silber JJ, Durantini EN (2005) Porphyrin-fullerene C60 dyads with high ability to form photoinduced charge-separated state as novel sensitizers for photodynamic therapy. Photochem Photobiol 81 891-897. 

In this review article, the functions of polymers and molecular assemblies for solar energy conversion will be described including photochemical conversion models, elemental processes for the conversion such as charge separation, electron transfer, and catalysis for water decomposition, as well as solar cells. 

Since the reduction potential of MV2+/MV is low enough (—0.44 V at pH 7) to reduce protons, the presence of platinum as a catalyst in the solution containing MV 7 brings about hydrogen formation. Scheme 1 is a typical model of photo-induced charge separation and electron relay to yield H2. It also represents the half reaction cycles of the reduction site for the photochemical conversion shown in Fig. 3. 

Photodiodes utilize principally the photophysical process of semiconductors. The most typical juctions to attain photoinduced charge separation are shown in Fig. 27 a c. If a photoexcited compound (P) is arranged with donor and/or acceptor on an electrode as shown in Fig. 25 (d), it must work as a kind of photodiode based on new principle of photochemical reaction. A polymer film must be most promising to construct such photoconversion element. 

Fig. 27a—d. Photoinduced charge separation. SC Semiconductor D Donor A Acceptor P Photochemical reaction center... 

Thus, a number of processes may take place within supramolecular systems, modulated by the arrangement of the components excitation energy migration, photoinduced charge separation by electron or proton transfer, perturbation of optical transitions and polarizabilities, modification of redox potentials in ground or excited states, photoregulation of binding properties, selective photochemical reactions, etc. 

Numerous systems of this type, such as the carotenoid-porphyrin-quinone triad 94 [8.62a] (for PeT in a pentad see [8.62b]), have been extensively studied in many laboratories from the photochemical point of view and as models of natural photosynthetic centres [8.62-8.69, A. 10, A.20], especially in order to achieve very fast charge separation [8.69] and slow recombination, for instance in multiporphyrin... 

The high surface potentials and differential polarities of molecular assemblies such as micelles, vesicles and microemulsions suggest that they may be of use in effecting charge separation after a photochemical redox event either by preferential electrostatic repulsion of one of the products or by differential solubilities of the two products in the different phases. This area of research has been extensively reviewed325 330 and we give a brief overview of the use of these systems. 

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