Cationic dye molecules in zeolite L as artificial antenna

摘要

The antenna behaviour of oxonine and pyronine loaded zeolite L micro-crystals is investigated. The geometrical constraints of this system exclude aggregation and therefore self quenching of electronic excitation energy even at very high concentrationand lead to a highly anisotropic antenna system based on Forster energy transfer. Microcrystals with size of the order of 100 to 200 nm are found to be optimal for realising an efficient light harvesting antenna. Solvatochromy is shown to be a useful tool to distinguish between dye molecules on the surface and inside of zeolite L microcrystals. The method is expected to be applicable to other zeolite/dye systems also.